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West Nile Virus

What is West Nile Virus?

• West Nile is a mild virus of birds that is transmitted by the common house mosquito.
• Threat of infection is usually limited to those over 40.
• Fatalities are rare and are usually limited to those over age 60
• If symptoms appear, they show in 1-2 weeks.
• The highest risk of getting West Nile Virus occurs in summer.

Morris County's Response

Morris County monitors mosquito population levels and for presence of the disease in mosquitoes and birds. Control efforts will be intensified if disease shows up, targeting the aquatic stage of the mosquito first, then the adult mosquitoes.

We will coordinate with scientists at Rutgers University and with the State Office of Mosquito Control Coordination and Health Departments to watch for West Nile virus.

How You Can Help

Clean up containers that hold water around your yard- buckets, bird baths, tires, pool covers, wading pools, gutters. The house mosquito needs permanent, generally small bodies of standing water to multiply- you CAN make a difference by removing these sources! Do not dump grass clippings and yard waste in ditches, streams, catch basins. Creating standing water may increase house mosquito numbers this way.

More Information

• West Nile Fact Sheet
• West Nile Virus in New Jersey
• Mosquito-Borne Diseases