TO RESIDENTS IN THE VICINITY OF THE ROSEWOOD DITCH AREA OF FLANDERS
This notice is being provided for informational purposes only and not intended to create alarm

Additional monitoring and testing of the mosquito activity along the Rosewood Ditch in Mount Olive by the Morris County Mosquito Control Commission have revealed a low number of active adult mosquitoes.
However, further testing of the mosquitoes reveled that one pool site confirmed a positive test result for the West Nile Virus.

It is no unusual finding a positive sample such as the one reported by the Commission.

For those individual’s who wish to have more information regarding West Nile Virus, we encourage you to read the attached fact sheet provided by the Morris County Mosquito Commission regarding proper control measures necessary for protection against exposure to West Nile Virus. At this time of year, the risk to an individual’s health is very low. Adult mosquitoes of this type that carry the West Nile Virus are predominately active only in the evening hours and after dusk.

If you are planning any outside activities during this time of day (evening or after dusk), it is recommended that you wear proper protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and pants and apply the proper labeled use of mosquito repellents.

If you are in need of any additional information over the holiday weekend you may contact the Morris County Mosquito Commission at www.morrismosquito.org or contact us at Mount Olive Police Department at 973-691-0850.

Mount Olive Health Department

(Excerpts from Morris Count Mosquito Commission Fact Sheet on West Nile Virus.)

Note: Will Not erupt in the spring.
Children not at risk
We will monitor, control if disease appears later in summer
You can help by removing containers holding water in yard.

What is west Nile Virus: A mild virus of birds that is transmitted by the common house mosquito. Threat usually in over 40 year old; fatalities rare, usually limited to those over age 60. Symptoms, if they appear, show in 1-2 weeks. If virus occurs, threat to humans is late in summer, Not spring because disease must built up in bird population. Risk to humans dimities rapidly as Autumn approaches because the mosquito that carries it stops looking for blood and enter hibernation. Some typical nuisance mosquitoes may be involved in human risk but this is not certain.
You may obtain the rest of this bulletin by requesting it from the Mount Olive Health Department or Websites - www.morrismosquito.org, njmosquito or ede.gov for more information on West Nile Virus

What is West Nile Virus?
It is a mild virus of birds that is transmitted by the common house mosquito, which usually poses a threat to those over 40 years old. Fatalities are rare, usually limited to those over age 60. Symptoms, if they appear, show is 1-2 weeks. If the virus occurs, the threat is in late summer, NOT spring, because the disease must build up in the bird population. Mosquitoes don't carry West Nile Virus through the winter, and typical nuisance mosquitoes don't carry West Nile Virus.

Morris County Response
We will monitor the mosquito population levels for the presence of the disease (in mosquitoes and in birds). Control efforts will be intensified if the disease shows up: the aquatic stage of the mosquito will be targeted first. then the adult mosquito. We will coordinate with scientists at Rutgers University, with the State Office of Mosquito Control Coordination, and with Health Departments to watch for West Nile Virus.

What Homeowners Can Do?
Individuals can clean up containers that hold water around their yards. This included buckets, birdbaths, tires, pool covers, wading pools, and gutters. The house mosquito needs permanent, standing water to multiply.

Homeowners can reduce mosquitoes on their property:

• Dispose of unwanted containers that can hold water
• Store unused containers in an upside-down position
• Empty or cover swimming or wading pools when not in use
• Change water in bird baths and troughs weekly
• Keep roof gutters and drainage ditches cleared out so water does not collect and sit in them
• Properly grade and eliminate any areas where water can collect
• Contact your local mosquito agency for more information related to reducing mosquito breeding sites on your property
  

Personal Precautions
Individuals should protect themselves from mosquito bites. People should make sure their window and door screening is in good repair so that mosquitoes cannot enter the room. When going outside during the times when mosquitoes are most likely to be biting (dawn or dusk), wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and pants. Mosquito repellant can be very effective in preventing insect bites. CAUTION: When using repellants, always carefully read and follow the manufacturer's directions on the labels.

You can make a difference by removing these sources!

The Morris County Mosquito Commission employs a modern, integrated approach to mosquito control that meets or exceeds the protocol of the EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. The commission monitors mosquito numbers and control these insects only when necessary, using water management, controlling the aquatic stages of mosquitoes with products specific to them, and doing limited adult mosquito control as a last resort. The Commission has a staff of nine inspectors who continually survey known mosquito producing areas throughout the County and implement appropriate control measures when necessary.

Web Sites: Additional information may be obtained by clicking on the following links: http://njmosquito.org or http://www.cdc.gov

Bottom Line We have a thorough, efficient system in place to prevent an outbreak of this disease and to manage nuisance mosquitoes.

Contact Person Frank Wilpert, Health Director, (973) 691-0900

SURVEILLANCE:
Now that the warm weather is finally here, so is the mosquito breeding season and the concerns about West Nile Virus. The Mount Olive Township Health Department (Budd Lake and Flanders) is prepared with a system of surveillance and coordination with the Morris County Mosquito Commission and Morris County West Nile Task Force.
Birds serve as natural reservoirs of the West Nile Virus and are able to pass the virus to feeding mosquitoes. Some birds species appear to be more susceptible to the virus. The health department is prepared to assist the State Department of Health and Senior Services in the collection of dead crows, hawks and falcons for testing for West Nile Virus.

Residents are asked to participate in this project by reporting dead crow and/or falcon specimens found on their property. The sample must be in fresh condition (not dead for more than 24 hours). Birds showing signs of decomposition or decay will not be accepted for testing.

Weekend specimens should be refrigerated until Monday morning. There is no evidence that a person can get the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, the health department recommends avoiding barehanded contact. The use of gloves or doubled plastic bags is recommended. Specimens should be double bagged and packaged in clear watertight bags and should be labeled and refrigerated.

The health department appreciates community participation is the West Nile Virus surveillance effort. Please contact the health department regarding dead birds on your property. Please call the Health Department at 973-691-0900.
STATISTICS: Of the 419 birds tested so far this season by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, seventy seven have tested positive for the West Nile Virus (this includes two from Morris County). Also, of the 957 mosquito pools tested, fifty six have tested positive for West Nile Virus (this includes five mosquito pools from Morris County). This information indicates that West Nile Virus is present and we should take precautions to protect ourselves from mosquito bites and control mosquito breeding.
PREVENTION: Since this virus is spread to humans by the bite from an infected mosquito, the Mt. Olive Township Health Department is urging residents to mosquito proof their homes and yards. Reducing mosquito breeding sites (areas where stagnant water collects for a week or longer) can reduce the risk of being bitten and contracting the disease. Tips to identify and control these sites include:
- Make sure roof gutters drain properly by cleaning them in the spring and fall
- Eliminate all stagnant water on your property
- Change water in bird baths at least once a week
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots and other water-holding containers or turning them upside down
- Dispose of junk piles
- Dispose of discarded tires (The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority will host tire amnesty collection events throughout Morris County free of charge. contact (973) 285-8392 for more information)
- Maintain swimming pools (empty or cover swimming pools when not in use)

Residents can also reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by:
Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts when outdoors particularly at dawn and dusk
Make sure screens on windows and doors are in good condition
Use mosquito repellent when outdoors (be sure to use according to the label, use less than 10% DEET for children)

Residents are reminded to report all mosquito concerns to the Morris County Mosquito Commission at (973) 538-3200 and to monitor the Mosquito Commissions web site (www. morrismosquito.org) for up-to-date information of mosquito spraying and West Nile activities. Also, please report all dead crows, hawks or falcons to your local health department. Mt. Olive Township : (973) 691-0900.
Go to West Nile Fact Sheet