Precautions offered
to curtail West Nile
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN — Seven crows found in the northern portion of the township this summer have tested positive for West Nile virus.
"The Manalapan Township Health Department has been advised by the Western Monmouth Animal Control [office] that seven crows collected by animal control have been tested and found positive for West Nile virus so far this summer," said Dave Richardson, health official. "These birds were all collected in the northern half of the township, including one from the Manalapan Recreation Center."
Richardson said residents have been very helpful in reporting dead crows, even ones that were not suitable for testing.
"The Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission is aware of these results and have increased their sur-veillance activities in the township," Richardson said. "To date there are no pools of captured mosquitoes that have tested positive for West Nile virus."
At the present time, there have been two confirmed West Nile virus illness in New Jersey this year, a resident of Cumberland County and a resident of Morris County, although 62 people in New Jersey have been tested, with 33 samples coming back negative and the remainder currently pending.
West Nile virus, an arboviral disease, is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. West Nile virus is not directly transmitted from birds to humans.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 percent of mosquitoes carry the virus in areas where it is established, and less than 1 percent of people bitten by those mosquitoes ever develop serious symptoms.
The West Nile virus infection generally causes no symptoms or just mild, flu-like symptoms, low grade fever, headache, and occasionally, swollen lymph glands.
However, elderly people are at higher risk of a more severe affliction. More severe signs and symptoms can include stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, brain inflammation, coma and, rarely, death.
Richardson recommended that people keep window and door screens in good repair. When playing or working outside, people should wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants, particularly at dawn and dusk, and should use an insect repellent containing DEET, he said.
It is also recommended that people eliminate any standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Gutters should be kept clear of debris.
People should empty kiddie wading pools as often as possible and clear yards of old tires or other items where water may collect. It is also recommended that trees and shrubs be trimmed to decrease the number of places where mosquitoes hide or breed.
Residents are advised to report the finding of any dead crows to the township health department, (732) 446-8345.
More information can be found at: www.visitmonmouth.com/mosquito or www.state.nj.us/health or www.cdc.gov/
westnile.