Somers Point Mosquito Sample Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

SOMERS POINT, NJ — A mosquito sample in Somers Point tested positive Wednesday for West Nile Virus, the Atlantic County Division of Public Health announced. Officials found the sample at the Lawrence "Bud" Kern Field.

Officials found another positive sample Wednesday in the 500 block of Ridgewood Drive in Northfield. Other positive samples from this summer include Zion Road in Northfield (July) and Horton Street in Hammonton (August).

WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. Most people infected with WNV don't feel sick. But about 1 in 5 infected develop a fever or other symptoms, while 1 in 150 develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

It's not unusual to find positive samples at this time of year, according to Atlantic County Public Health Officer Patricia Diamond. But Diamond recommended the following tips for reducing mosquito bites:

• Use an insect repellent whenever going outdoors. Repellents are an important tool to assist people in protecting themselves from mosquito-borne diseases. The Centers for Disease Control recommends the use of products containing active ingredients which have been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use as repellents applied to skin and clothing and approved for efficacy and human safety when applied as directed. Be sure to follow product directions carefully and consult with your child’s doctor prior to using on children.
• Rid properties of mosquito breeding grounds by draining standing water. Mosquitoes do not travel far from where they breed. Buckets, bird baths, flower pots and other containers can hold water and provide an ideal environment for mosquitoes. Be sure to empty these containers regularly.
• Clean clogged gutters; check and repair screen doors.

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