Both Princeton and Montgomery are asking residents to report finding dead birds.
By: Steve Rauscher
The news that three Mercer County men tested positive for the West Nile virus this month has prompted concerns from area residents that they may now be vulnerable to the virus. The three are the only documented cases of West Nile in New Jersey this year.
The proximity of Ewing, Mercerville and Trenton where the three cases occurred to Princeton may make some residents uncomfortable, but area health officials say there is little new to be concluded from the cases.
"What (this) means is that West Nile virus is in New Jersey," Montgomery Township Health Officer Dave Henry said. "But that’s something we’ve known for a few years."
While no person ever has tested positive for the virus in Princeton, some dead birds found in the area have carried the disease. Of 25 birds found dead in Princeton, three have tested positive since July, along with one in Rocky Hill and another in Franklin Township, among a total of 39 positive cases among birds in Mercer County and 18 in Somerset County.
Birds, as well as humans, contract the disease from mosquitoes. Dead birds may be indicators that West Nile is present.
"But crows travel a great distance," Princeton Regional Health Officer William Hinshilwood said. "So that doesn’t mean a whole lot just for Princeton."
Mr. Henry agreed, adding that doesn’t lessen the danger the disease poses.
"Everybody needs to be mindful that West Nile is in the state," he said. "And they need to take appropriate safety measures at dusk and dawn, and when they’re performing activities outside."
Among those safety measures is getting rid of standing water and keeping grass cut short to eliminate hiding places for mosquitoes, as well as using mosquito repellent and wearing long-sleeved clothing when working outdoors.
Both Princeton and Montgomery are asking residents to report finding dead birds. Princeton residents should call the health office (609) 497-7608, while Montgomery residents are asked to call animal control (908) 359-4308.
Mr. Henry noted, however, that many of the birds Montgomery Township has collected have been decomposed past the point at which the state Department of Health will test them. For that reason, he said, residents should not report birds that have been dead for more than a few hours.
"If we can’t get to them before that, they’re basically in an unacceptable condition," he said. "If it’s on a weekend, just put it in a garbage can, because nobody’s going to get there in time."
The West Nile season typically lasts until the first frost, Mr. Henry said. Until that time, the township engineering and public works departments will continue addressing drainage issues and eliminating standing water on public property to discourage the propagation of mosquitoes.
Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, aches, stiffness and swollen glands. The disease typically affects the very young and very old, and is rarely fatal.