It’s a mosquito-borne virus that can make you extremely ill.
New Jersey had 10 reported cases of West Nile virus last year, making it one of the least affected states in the nation, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released today.
But two New Jersey seniors died of complications linked to West Nile last year, including a 78-year-old Gloucester County woman and a 92-year-old Morris County man, according to a September 3 state Department of Health statement.
West Nile is a viral infection that can cause high fever, neck stiffness and swelling of the brain, or encephalitis. The latter can lead to coma, convulsions and death, according to the state Department of Health.
Less than 1 percent of infected people will develop such severe symptoms, but people over 50 and those with weak immune systems are at greater risk of becoming severely ill, according to the agency.
West Nile, first identified in the U.S. 15 years ago, is seen most often in the summer and early fall months, the agency says. Anyone bitten by an infected mosquito can become infected with the virus.
While many West Nile-infected people do not become ill and may not develop symptoms, about one-fifth of infected people will get West Nile fever. Symptoms may be mild or severe and arise three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito, according to the health department.
Mild symptoms include flu-like illness with fever, headache, body aches, nausea and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back, the agency says.
To reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, according to the health department, you should:
– Wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors at dusk or dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
– Use an EPA-registered insect repellent, such as those with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. These products can be used on skin or clothing. Use a product that provides protection through the time spent outdoors. Permethrin, another kind of insect repellent, can only be used on clothing. Always follow the directions on product labels.
Mosquitoes begin breeding in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days, according to the health department. Get rid of mosquito breeding sites around the home by:
– Cleaning out gutters and drains.
– Disposing of old tires.
– Draining standing water from pool covers, and keeping pools chlorinated. Flip over plastic children’s pools when not in use.
– Removing all containers that hold water.
– Changing bird bath water every several days.
– Ensuring that all windows and doors have screens and that all screens are in good condition.