MusicFest Venue Sprayed for West Nile Virus

Union County's mosquito control division sprayed the site of this weekend's MusicFest after a mosquito population was found to be carrying West Nile Virus.

A county spokesman said that Oak Ridge Park in Clark was sprayed for mosquitos following a Sept. 3 discovery of the West Nile Virus. According to a statement on the Clark Township website, the virus was found in a pool of mosquitos in the park and public health officials were notified.

"Our mosquito control division has properly treated the park and pool area where West Nile Virus was found," county spokesman Sebastian D'Elia said. "As a note, it is not uncommon to find West Nile Virus in mosquito pools throughout the county, and the state of New Jersey as a whole. When it is  found, the site is immediately treated."

A message left for Clark Township Health Officer Nancy Raymond was not returned. The size of the mosquito pool is not known. 

D'Elia said MusicFest will not be effected by the discovery, and he added that the county mosquito division's work is typical for discoveries of West Nile within the county. He stressed that it has been rarely found in county residents, noting that only one case has been diagnosed in the county in the last several years.

MusicFest kicked-off earlier this week and will reach its peak  Saturday and Sunday with Spoon and Train headlining over the weekend. The festival will also include a county fair, midway, Sept. 11 moment of silence and charity events.

D'Elia and the Clark Township website are urging MusicFest goers to adhere to several precautions while attending the outdoor music celebration and other fall usages of outdoor spaces.

"As with any outdoor activity,  residents are always urged to take precaution and apply mosquito repellent, wear long pants and long sleeves," D'Elia said.

Stay tuned to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Patch this afternoon for an overview of MusicFest.