NJ's First West Nile Virus Cases Of 2024 Reported

CENTRAL JERSEY — Three residents in Central Jersey have become the first people in New Jersey to contract the West Nile Virus this year.

The New Jersey Department of Health confirmed two residents, one who was 70-plus years old and another younger than 18 years old, tested positive for West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease in Union and Middlesex counties.

Their symptoms were reported in the first week of July. Both people were hospitalized and have since been discharged.

Another report of an asymptomatic West Nile-positive blood donor was reported in a Somerset County resident.

These confirmed cases in July are considerably earlier than what is typically seen in New Jersey. Most West Nile cases occur between mid-August and mid-September, according to the health department.

"This year, New Jersey is seeing higher than average West Nile virus activity earlier than expected," said New Jersey Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston.

West Nile Virus has been detected in 286 mosquito pools, which is higher than average detections at this time of year and has been found in all New Jersey counties except Cumberland. West Nile Virus detections in mosquitoes are highest in the northeastern part of the state, particularly in Middlesex, Hudson, Bergen, and Union counties, according to the health department.

In a typical year, there are 13 human West Nile Virus infections reported. Last year, New Jersey had 14 human cases of West Nile Virus.

To protect against mosquito-borne diseases, residents should:

• Wear EPA-registered insect repellant
• Avoid being outdoors during dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active
• Wear long sleeves and long pants and covering exposed skin
• Cover cribs, strollers, and baby carriers with mosquito netting
• Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outside and use air conditioning when possible or ensure you have well-fitted screens

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 70 and 80 percent of people who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms and are not impacted.

Approximately 20 percent who become infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

Most people with symptoms can recover on their own, but the virus can cause severe symptoms of neurological illness caused by inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.

"After a very wet early summer, it is more important than ever that everyone do their part to safeguard public health by removing standing water from their properties and covering empty outdoor containers that can quickly become mosquito breeding grounds," said New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. "Even small amounts of rain can produce significant numbers of container-inhabiting mosquitoes known to spread West Nile virus."

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