Human West Nile Case Confirmed In Hunterdon County

New Jersey's first human case of West Nile for 2018 has been confirmed in Hunterdon County, health officials said. Dawn Thomas, a spokesperson with the New Jersey Department of Health, said a 74-year-old man was confirmed to have contracted the virus. The man's town of residence was not disclosed due to privacy issues, she said.

"We are looking into other suspect cases in the state," Thomas said, noting she could not comment on those.

According to the CDC, about one in five people who are infected with West Nile develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

People over age 50 and people with weak immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness, Thomas explained.

It is most commonly spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. It can cause febrile illness, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), according to the CDC.

Symptoms are typically flu-like and may include fever, headache, body aches and sometimes a rash. Severe symptoms can include high fever, stiff neck and swelling of the brain. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus. "The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid mosquito bites," Thomas said.

You can reduce your risk of West Nile Virus by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites, the CDC said.

The following guidelines have been offered to help residents minimize their risk:

• Limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk during warmer months since most types of mosquitoes bite most frequently during these times. Be aware though that some types of mosquitoes bite most frequently during the daytime.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and socks. Choose clothing that is light colored and made of tightly woven material.
• Stay in places with air conditioning and window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside.
• If you choose to use insect repellents, use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol.
• Cover or empty containers such as trash cans, wading pools, wheelbarrows, and pots.
• Turn containers upside down when not in use so they don't collect water.
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers.
• Get rid of old tires.
• Change the water in bird baths every three to five days.
• Check storm drains, window wells, and underneath leaky faucets for standing water.
• Clean roof gutters every year.
• Aerate and/or stock ornamental ponds with fish.
• Keep swimming pools clean and chlorinated. Make sure that water does not gather on swimming pool covers.
• Treat a pool of standing water that cannot be drained with Bti products. Bti is a naturally-occurring bacterial product that kills mosquito larvae and is safe for people, pets, aquatic life, and plants. You can find these products at local lawn and garden supply stores.
• Make sure that window and door screens fit tightly to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Run electric fans nearby when spending time outdoors. Mosquitoes have trouble flying in strong winds.
• Replace outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights, which tend to attract fewer mosquitoes.

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