Warm weather may bring West Nile encephalitis to New Jersey area

Students shedding their winter clothes and preparing to enjoy warmer weather may have more to worry about than just sunburn. Scientists expect the West Nile Encephalitis Virus to re-emerge in the area this spring and spread into the human population via mosquitoes, according to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

New Jersey is implementing a comprehensive plan to combat a possible outbreak of the virus, including surveillance efforts, suppression of mosquito populations, laboratory testing and education. "If West Nile virus should return to the state this year, we'll be ready," Gov. Christie Whitman said in a statement earlier this month. "All our resources and experiences are working together in an aggressive plan to protect the public."

Despite Whitman's concern, University officials said yesterday they believe the threat to the campus is minimal, though they indicated it is still too soon to know for certain. "I think that it's still early in the season," said associate director of University health services Joyce Zissman. "We have to wait and see how serious the threat becomes."

Even if the virus does pose a significant problem in the area, there is little the University can do to combat the spread of the disease, Zissman said. "We can eliminate standing water so there isn't a breeding place for mosquitoes and elect to spray. We need to see if they find [the virus] in our area," she said.

The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta recommends people take several precautionary measures to prevent infection. Residents of regions that could be vulnerable to encephalitis are encouraged to use insect repellents on exposed skin and to wear long-sleeved clothing. The CDC also has presented New Jersey with a $200,000 grant to fund encephalitis research.

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Cristine Grant said, "We have put together a comprehensive, coordinated plan that combines pre-season aggressive mosquito control efforts with increased surveillance and testing. This will allow us to respond quickly with targeted control activities should West Nile virus be detected."

Earlier this month, scientists confirmed that hibernating and immature mosquitoes in the New York area were carrying the disease, but the disease has not yet been detected in New Jersey, according to the CDC. The Rutgers Mosquito Research and Control Unit will attempt to locate hibernating mosquitoes for testing during the next few weeks.

The West Nile virus interferes with normal central nervous system function and causes inflammation of brain tissue. The fatality rate of the disease — which poses the greatest threat to the elderly — is between three and 15 percent, according to the CDC. There is no vaccine for West Nile encephalitis, and people who believe they may be infected should seek medical care as soon as possible, according to a CDC statement.