Two Birds In Bayville And One In Toms River Test Positive For West Nile Virus
Prevention begins in the backyard, Ocean County Mosquito Commission official says
Photos
Beware of stagnant water.
Any amount - even what a bottle cap holds - can become a breeding ground for larval mosquitoes, said Michael Romanski, Assistant Superintendent for the Ocean County Mosquito Commission
"Anything and everything that holds water," he said. "Kids' toys. A bottle cap, something that small."
Commission and Ocean County Health Department officials are urging residents to take precautions after two dead birds from the Bayville area and one in Toms River tested positive for West Nile virus.
"We're in the business of containing larval mosquitoes," Romanski said. "Going out and spraying adult mosquitoes is kind of a last-ditch effort.'
"Look around everywhere for standing water," said health department spokesperson Leslie Terjesen.
The health department has picked up 40 birds throughout Ocean County suspected of having the virus so far this year, she said.
"Right now we have seven birds pending testing," Romanski said. "Our county health department is very aggressive and very proactive about collecting the dead birds. They really are very good."
Not all mosquitoes are alike. The ones that transmit West Nile Virus belong to the Culex genus, between three to four species of mosquitoes that infect birds, Romanski said.
The commission does preventive spraying in areas of standing water, where stagnant water collects and immature stage of mosquitoes are found, he said.
"We spray for the larval mosquitoes, try to knock down any viral breeding sites," Romanski said.
Another four mosquito pools tested positive in areas where the birds were found, Terjesen said.
County residents can help the Health Department control and identify WNV by reporting dead birds that they find on their property by calling the department at 732-341-9700, ext. 7515 or toll free at 1-800-342-9738, ext. 7515.
West Nile virus infections produce no symptoms or mild to moderate symptoms, including fever, headache and body aches and sometimes a skin rash and swollen lymph glands, said Jennifer Crawford, an OCHD Communicable Disease Specialist.
"More dangerous conditions among the young or elderly and persons with chronic diseases or compromised immune systems have been reported," Crawford said.
Health department officials urge adults to use mosquito repellents, but caution against their use on young children. Babies and younger children should be safely covered up with protective clothing and hats.
barb
5:39 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
any idea where in Bayville?
Patricia A. Miller
6:29 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
They don't release the exact addresses, Barb. I'm pretty sure it's in Glen Cove.
Robin Dittus-Soto
8:01 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
over by berkeley island
barb
6:39 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
thanks, curious because we back up to the woods, lots of standing water right behind our house. Think I may give them a call and see if they can test it.
diane
8:52 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Hope my neighbor reads this and gets the stagnant water in her pool out...we have complained to the town of lakehurst but they dont do crap...cant even sit in our yard due the the amount of mosquitoes and bugs drawn to the water...its not alot of water but its been there forever...
ushouldbeashamed
10:47 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Feeling the same way in TR, 2 doors down the pool is uncared for and just sits with water on it daily... I cant go from my front door to the car without them all over me, its gross.
My poor dog gets bit up in seconds.
The twp of Lakehurst and TR need to do more and site those who leave the yard overgorwn and the pools uncared for!
1whocares
9:11 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Maybe if the ocean county mosquito commission helicopter spent more time treating the larvae then flying along the ocean front sightseeing, they would prevent this. Every time I am at the beach on the ocean front I see the helicopter fly by at lease once a day.
brokeninbayville
10:29 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
It is in Glen Cove. Pine Drive.
JackFlash
11:12 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
We have a huge problem with the Asian tiger mosquito's. Can't work outside it is so bad and they are so small they get thru screens. The mosquito commission says that nothing can be done except ensure water source is removed. Their bite leaves a silver dollar sized welt.
enough is enough
1:00 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
its amazing how selfish people can be leaving half empty pools and tires etc filled with rotting water. people still dont believe in climate change even when in north america we are seeing all sorts of tropical diseases only in the most recent years. every town should make it a law that all pools should be drained completely not just for mosquitoes but for any kids climbing into the yard and drowning.
julie wilson
7:20 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
They need to do local spraying in all the towns the mosquitos are really bad this year and nothing is stopping them from bitting I use spray on myself, I bought the repellent that you where and I have the citronella oil lamps going. I sit on my deck in the evening to chill some days its so bad you walk out and attack. I tried yard guard and that didn't work either.
Traveller
7:25 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Pools, toys, bird baths, roof gutters, downspouts, wheelbarrels, ornamental ponds, poor yard drainage, puddles, ditches, culverts, plastic tarps and coverings, leaking faucets . . . c'mon people, it's easy . . . clean up your yards and make an effort to seek out standing water on your property. There is so much each person can do. Put up secure bat box houses, bird houses, use organic mosquito dunks, etc.
brokeninbayville
7:55 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I called because I live on the street over from Pine where the birds were found. They said everything all of you said above. Just put on bug spray (unfortunately a chemical). They are treating but said if you have a bird bath to rinse it out no more than every 3 days. That is how long it take a larve to hatch. I also put the dunks in mine. My street water catches never drain!!! Have called the township to come and clean them out. Hopefully that will be soon. If a pool has chlorine in it, they told me it was ok.
cynthia
7:20 am on Sunday, July 29, 2012
I have an issue where water is pumped from a basement on Ocean Ave and because the street doesnt run "down Hill" to the drain 4 houses away...it sits stagnit in front of the houses, grows green algea,collects garbage,smells, bugs, etc.I have written and sent pics to the health dept,the DEP, and to the county road dept. Its been weeks and no courtesy letter back, no response, Some one needs to take responsability.We cant sit outside our front porch.I am at a wits end and more so with the articles abo9ut the birds testing positive...
...any suggestions?
cynthia
7:22 am on Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sorry, I forgot to mention My issue is in Point Pleasant Beach