TRENTON—New Jersey health officials have confirmed the state’s first human case of the West Nile virus this year, the earliest it has ever been detected in state history.
They say a Hunterdon County man in his 70’s began showing signs of meningitis on June 21 and was hospitalized for several days. They later confirmed he had contracted West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on an infected bird.
The man is still recovering at home. His name and further details about the case have not been released.
Officials say 61 people in New Jersey were infected by West Nile virus last year, marking the highest number of cases ever reported in the state
Symptoms can include flu-like illness, fever or skin rashes. Some people infected with West Nile virus are asymptomatic.
Health Officials Warn About Mosquito Season
Health officials in New Mexico are predicting one of the worst mosquito seasons in decades thanks to wetter weather earlier this year.
KOB-TV reports health officials believe the mosquito population and the threat of West Nile Virus are on the rise as monsoon season approaches.
Mark DiMenna of the Albuquerque Environmental Health Department says the city is preparing for a bad mosquito season which the likes they haven’t seen in 15 years.
#DYK? Mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus, malaria, and other germs. Only one mosquito bite can make you sick. Learn how to control mosquitoes around your home. https://t.co/x8kueEGR9q #NationalMosquitoWeek pic.twitter.com/2GZ1IlYuWR
— CDC (@CDCgov) June 28, 2019
Standing water along the arroyos, ditches, wetlands and even the side of the road are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
New Mexico’s largest city uses larval control through water management and source reduction and with the use of environmentally friendly, EPA-approved chemicals.
First South Dakota Human West Nile Virus Case of 2019
The first case of the virus in 2019 has been recorded in South Dakota.
The state Health Department said on July 1, the virus was detected in a Turner County resident between the age of 30 and 39.
State epidemiologist Joshua Clayton says South Dakotans need to protect themselves against the mosquito-borne virus, especially during evening outdoor activities such as Fourth of July fireworks shows.
Clayton says South Dakota historically has a disproportionately high number of West Nile virus case compared with other states.
He encouraged residents to reduce their risk by applying mosquito repellents to clothes and exposed skin, wearing pants and long sleeves when outdoors, limiting time outdoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active, and getting rid of standing water that gives mosquitoes a place to breed.
