Looking back to when the West Nile Virus first appeared in the Americas in 1999, Robert Vogt could not think of a report of the virus actually originating in Jersey City.
“I think this is the first time in Jersey City that I can remember,” said Vogt, an assistant health officer in Jersey City. “The infected mosquitoes were found by the county people at Lincoln Park.”
The discovery of mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus was made late Wednesday, according to Anthony Grazioso, director of communications for the office of the Hudson County executive. Spraying of the area with the pesticides resmethrin and piperonyl butoxide, collectively known as “Scourge,” began 4 a.m. Thursday morning and went on until 8 a.m.
Vogt described the appearance of the infected insects as endemic to the Hudson county area and it was simply Jersey City’s turn to have the mosquitoes in its area. “Mosquitoes get found in different parts of the county each summer,” said Vogt, noting Hudson County has what he called a “low residual” population of the mosquitoes. “We had a very hot summer this time and that encourages the breeding of the mosquitoes.”
Grazioso stated the infected mosquitoes had been collected in special traps at Lincoln Park.
The county uses two kinds of insect snares called gravide traps.
“One of the traps uses light to attract the mosquitoes, while other uses a substance known as ‘stinky water’,” said Grazioso.
Stinky water traps contain chemicals that attract the insects through smell.
“We separate the mosquitoes from other insects in the traps like moths and identify the ones that appear to be infected,” he said.
The dead mosquitoes are sent to labs in Trenton where they analyzed for the virus. Once the disease is identified, Grazioso said, the area they were found in is sprayed with insecticide.
Came here three years ago
According to the Center for Disease Control, outbreaks of the West Nile virus were first recorded in Africa, Israel, Asia, and Romania in the early 1990s. The first cases in America were reported in 1999. The most likely explanation for its appearance in the United States, according to the CDC, was from an infected bird imported into the country or from a person infected with the virus who had been visiting from another country where the disease was prevalent.
The mosquito-borne virus has been known to cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), the CDC reports. It is usually most harmful to people who are weak, like the very old or very young.
“Incubation in a human infected with the virus is about three to 10 days,” said Grazioso. “Symptoms consist of headache, high fever, lethargy, and fever. In severe cases, the virus can cause coma and death.”
Grazioso stressed it was very rare that humans are strongly affected by the West Nile virus, with a recovery period of two weeks for people who are in good health. More of a risk is presented to the elderly with depleted immune systems and very young children, who have underdeveloped immune systems.
“Also at greater risk are those with immune system complications,” said Grazioso. “There are number of commons sense measures that people can take to avoid infection and eliminate mosquitoes’ breeding grounds,” said Vogt.
Vogt stressed the need to empty all sources of standing water such as tires, cans, buckets, birdbaths, and clogged gutters. “These are the places where the mosquitoes will multiply,” said Vogt.
“Pool covers should be put on tightly,” Vogt recommended. “If there is any water still standing on the pool cover, you should add chlorine to the standing water.”
Vogt advised residents to repair all damaged screens in open windows. “Fixing window screens is very important,” said Vogt. “You do not want a room full of mosquitoes.”
People are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers during the predawn and dusk hours when, according to Vogt, mosquitoes are most active.
“If you are going to use insect sprays, you should use ones containing DEET,” said Grazioso, adding any insect repellent used on children should have less than 10 percent DEET in the spray. “DEET should be used only on clothes, not on skin.”
Grazioso said residents near Lincoln Park have little to worry about in regards to the insecticide Scourge.
“The county will be spraying in the north, east, and west sections of the park,” said Grazioso. He added that the insecticide, which will be released in the form of fog, dissipates after two hours, a process sped up by sunlight.
“You would have to be standing right behind the trucks when they are spraying to be irritated by the insecticide,” said Grazioso.