Princeton to Distribute Door Hangers to Residents to Combat Zika Virus

Princeton, NJ -- Princeton Health Officials will be distributing door hangers that provide information on what residents can do to limit mosquito breeding in their yard, along with contact information for Mercer County Mosquito Control and the Princeton Health Department, throughout town over the next few months.

The distribution is part of the battle against the emerging Zika virus, the Princeton Health Department said this week.

Zika virus can cause severe birth defects, and is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There have been no cases of Zika Virus documented in Princeton, but as of May 11, returning travelers have accounted for 12 cases in New Jersey and 503 in the U.S. There are Aedes mosquitoes in New Jersey.

People can reduce the spread of Aedes mosquitoes by eliminating sites around their homes where mosquitoes may breed, officials said. All they have to do is get rid of containers and any other sites where water may collect and mosquitos lay their eggs.

Backyard item such as birdbaths, potted plants with saucers, children’s toys and roof gutters can be mosquito breeding grounds if not cleaned out and or if the water sits stagnant for several days.

Officials are also reminding travelers to protect themselves from mosquitoes during the outbreak of Zika virus in the Caribbean, Central America, the Pacific Islands and South America.

An updated list is available at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information.

Local physicians are encouraged to contact the Princeton Health Department and or New Jersey Department of Health to report any possible Zika patients for further assessment.

“Zika is one of several mosquito-borne diseases that could affect residents this mosquito season through localized transmission,” Princeton Health Officer Jeffrey Grosser said. "Reducing or eliminating standing water around one’s home is the best way residents can combat mosquitoes. The Princeton Health Department is also urging residents to use approved EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] bug spray and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants or clothing specially treated to avoid mosquito bites.”

For more information on the Zika virus visit:

• Your health care provider

• NJ Department of Health: http://www.nj.gov/health

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

• CDC Travel Health Notices: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

To learn more about the Princeton Health Department, visit www.princetonnj.gov/health.