A 39-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman are Camden County’s third and fourth cases of West Nile Virus.
On Aug. 9, the man was taken to a hospital with fever, cough, chills, paralysis and weakness. He had reported that he had spent considerable time outdoors. Labs drawn were positive for West Nile Virus and he was confirmed as a case by the New Jersey Department of Health and Social Services (NJDHSS) on Sept. 12.
On Aug. 26, a woman was admitted at a hospital with a five day history of fever, chills, head and body aches. She was discharged to her home on Sept. 1. Lab work drawn during her hospital stay has come back positive for West Nile Virus. She was confirmed as a case of West Nile Virus by NJDHSS on Sept. 10.
The State has not released the municipality in which these individuals reside. The New Jersey Department of Health can be reached at (609) 984–7160.
The county’s second case of West Nile Virus was confirmed on Aug. 26. In that case, an 84-year-old county resident went to a local hospital emergency room on Aug. 17, with a three day history of headaches and fevers. He was discharged on Aug. 22 to a long term care facility.
The 68-year-old county man, who was reported as the county’s first case on Aug. 23, was discharged from hospital to a long term care facility on the Aug. 31. His condition remains unimproved.
All specimens drawn are sent to the Public Health Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) in Trenton. To be considered a “confirmed” case the specimen must be verified by the PHEL.
The Camden County Mosquito Commission regularly checks several thousand suspected mosquito breeding sites across the county. Mosquito spraying is scheduled on an as needed basis based upon the results of their surveillance efforts.
“At this time, and coming on the heels of the wettest summer months in the history of the county, I want to be clear, residents need to be on the lookout for standing water,” said Freeholder Jeffrey Nash, liaison to the Camden County Mosquito Commission. “This mosquito season will continue well into October and as a community we have to work together in order eliminate ideal breeding locations for these pests.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the main route of human infection with West Nile Virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Individuals over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of West Nile Virus, and should take special care to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
Residents should check their property for any object that holds water for more than a few days. All pre-adult mosquito stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae) must be in stagnant water in order to develop into adult mosquitoes.
