Camden County Launches Battle Against Zika Virus

A public education campaign concerning Zika Virus and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes kicked off in Camden County Thursday afternoon.

Zika is a disease caused by a virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Zika virus can also be sexually transmitted.

Symptoms of Zika include fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis, muscle pain and headache. Zika virus has also been linked to serious birth defects such as microcephaly.

Over the past six months, the Department of Health and Mosquito Control Commission have been coordinating and working diligently with state and federal partners to monitor the new disease and a host of other viruses already related to the insect.

New Jersey has seen a sharp rise in the number of diagnosed Zika virus cases, including one in Camden County, and all have been travel-related to this point.

Zika typically occurs in Africa, Southeast Asia, Mexico, Pacific Islands, South or Central America and the Caribbean. Infected individuals coming from countries that have ongoing Zika concerns can introduce the virus to mosquitoes in the US initiating local transmission.

Although there have been no locally transmitted cases of Zika from mosquitoes reported in New Jersey, there is a need for more public education on the topic, county officials said. They have offered a new brochure that does just that.

“The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services (CCDHHS) and the Camden County Mosquito Commission are working closely with the CDC and the New Jersey Department of Health to keep Camden County residents informed and protected,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the CCDHHS, said. “The Camden County Mosquito Commission regularly checks several thousand suspected mosquito breeding sites across the county. Spraying is scheduled on an as needed basis based upon the results of their surveillance.”

“Whether it’s a major storm or light shower, it is imperative for all homeowners to routinely check their yard for standing water and eliminate any areas where mosquitoes can thrive. We know mosquitoes only need about a bottle cap of water to breed in making dry properties imperative to reduce the population,” Camden County Freeholder Jeff Nash, liaison to the Camden County Mosquito Commission, said. “This simple act can help reduce the pest population in your neighborhood, and assist the efforts of the Mosquito Commission.”

Spraying took place in Cherry Hill last week, and another round was scheduled for early Friday morning.
Rodriguez provided tips for residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

“Whenever you are outdoors you should apply insect repellent to exposed skin, especially between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active,” Rodriguez said. “It is also a good idea to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and socks sprayed with repellent while outdoors.”

For more information, or to report a problem, contact the Camden County Mosquito Commission at 856-566-2945 or skeeters@camdencounty.com or the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at 856-374-6025.

To view a copy of the brochure, visit camdencounty.com.

The brochure can also be purchased at the Health Department and at the County Store.