Monmouth County Prepares for Zika

Union Beach, NJ - Monmouth County is monitoring the Zika virus very carefully.

On Monday, Union Beach led a Zika-awareness training for its municipal workers. Last Thursday, May 19, more than 50 Monmouth County mayors, code enforcement officials, nurses and directors of public works departments attended a Zika-preparedness seminar put on by the county health department.

“Although the Zika virus is not in Monmouth County yet, it is coming. It wasn't in Grenada last month, but it is now, and my daughter goes to school there," said Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso Thursday.

While Zika is not expected to reach New Jersey, DiMaso later clarified her comments to say that she meant Monmouth County needs to be prepared for Zika. Zika is, however, expected to reach southern states this summer, according to the CDC, and New Jersey is not out of the range of the Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that carries Zika.

The Monday morning training, held at the Union Beach Municipal Building, was meant to educate code and construction officials about handling Zika. Town employees were also taught to look for signs and symptoms of the virus.

On Thursday, Monmouth County code and construction officials were taught how to identify potential mosquito breeding sites. Methods were discussed to reduce mosquitoes, such as spraying.

Are you worried about possible mosquito breeding areas in your town, such as swampy areas or standing water? County inspectors are available to evaluate possible breeding areas and are on the look-out during their routine daily inspections for potential breeding sites, said a county spokesman.

Photo: Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso talks about Zika preparedness in Monmouth County Thursday.