Nine confirmed cases of West Nile virus in New Jersey: DOH

A ninth person from New Jersey has been tested positive this season for West Nile virus, health officials said.

The State Department of Health has also seen an increase in the number of mosquitoes tested positive for the virus throughout New Jersey.

According to officials, as of September 1, the nine human cases of West Nile virus came from the counties of Bergen, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Ocean and Somerset.

According to a report from the Ministry of Health, a total of 767 mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile virus, an increase over the 549 pools found at the same time last year. This marks an increase of 40%.

Officials determined that 63% of West Nile positive reservoirs this season were reported in weeks 31 to 34, higher than the cumulative number of positive reservoirs reported at the same time in 2017 and above the five-year average of ## 147 ## 39; West. Nile virus positive pools have been reported during the same period.

The state report also shows that at week 35, Bergen County reported more than 100 positive pools.

In addition, 15 counties report an increase in the activity of West Nile virus this season.

"We are watching the West Nile virus closely in the mosquito population and we are experiencing higher than normal levels this year in Bergen County and other parts of the state. Bergen County officials are investigating confirmed and suspect human cases and conducting mosquito control activities in these areas, "said Matthew Bickerton, an entomologist from the Bergen County Health Department.

Bickerton adds that to reduce the risk of infection with West Nile virus, individuals "must eliminate any standing water on their property and use an EPA-approved insect repellent on the outside."

West Nile virus is an infection that spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the State Department of Health. The infection was identified in the country in 1999 and is most often observed in summer and early autumn.

While anyone can become infected with the virus, health officials say people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop serious illness.

Mild symptoms are similar to those of the flu and include fever, headache, muscle aches and sometimes a rash. Severe symptoms may include high fever, stiff neck and swelling of the brain.

Although there is no specific treatment, the best way to prevent the disease is to avoid mosquito bites, according to the Ministry of Health.