Mosquito Alert: New Virus Found in Atlantic County

In a recent discovery, health officials in Atlantic County found that mosquitoes in the area carry a virus called Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV). This news came out on a Wednesday, revealing that the sample was taken from Morris Avenue in Egg Harbor Township. The sample was collected on October 1 and confirmed positive just a few days later. JCV is not as common as other mosquito-borne viruses in New Jersey, like West Nile virus or eastern equine encephalitis. Before this finding, only four other mosquito pools in the state had tested positive for JCV this year. These were found in Morris, Mercer, and Sussex counties. There was also one human case reported in Middlesex County. Symptoms of JCV can include fever, headache, and feeling very tired. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or special medicines to prevent or treat this virus. It was first found in mosquitoes in Jamestown, Colorado, back in 1961. Health officials warn that the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses remains until the first hard frost kills off the adult mosquito population. To stay safe, people should use insect repellent when outside, get rid of standing water where mosquitoes can breed, and make sure their gutters are clean and their screen doors are in good repair. For more information about mosquito-borne illnesses, people can visit the Atlantic County website or call the Division of Public Health.