New Jersey Reports Year's First Human West Nile Case For State
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New Jersey Department of Health on Friday confirmed its first human case of the West Nile virus.
The department reported that a 49-year-old Gloucester County resident developed symptoms after doing yard work at home, and had to be hospitalized. The symptoms included fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, rash, and meningitis, the department said.
The victim was out of the hospital and recovering at home by Friday, the department said.
There were 12 cases of the West Nile virus in New Jersey last year, and two people died. In 2012, there were 48 cases and six fatalities, and in 2011, there were seven cases and no fatalities.
Meanwhile, CBS 2 has learned West Nile has made its first appearance this year in mosquitoes in Westchester County.
The county Health Department said a mosquito batch collected in New Rochelle tested positive.
Last year, seven positive mosquito batches were found in Westchester County and two human cases of West Nile Virus were reported. So far this year, there have been no reported human cases in Westchester.
Officials suggest people take the following precautions to protect themselves against mosquitoes:
Wear insect repellent and covering up outside in the late afternoon and evening.
Check toys and play houses for standing water.
Turn over containers, wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
Sweep puddles off driveways after it rains.
Clear storm drains and gutters.
Clean and chlorinate pools and hot tubs and drain water off their covers.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
