WARREN COUNTY, NJ — Warren County Mosquito Control Commission Superintendent Jennifer Gruener and Public Health Epidemiologist Michael Ricciardi delivered an update on West Nile Virus (WNV) during a recent Warren County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Their presentation addressed recent trends and preventative measures, particularly relevant as the peak period for WNV cases typically falls between mid-August and mid-September.
According to Gruener and Ricciardi, New Jersey has not seen an unusually high number of human WNV cases this year. Notably, one locally acquired case has been reported in Warren County in 2024, marking the first since 2018.
To protect against WNV, officials emphasized the importance of preventing mosquito bites. Recommended precautions include using EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus; wearing long-sleeved clothing and closed-toe shoes during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk; and eliminating mosquito breeding sites by cleaning gutters, disposing of old tires, draining standing water, and removing containers that can collect water. Additionally, residents should ensure that screens on doors and windows are in good condition.
For those seeking more information, the public can visit the following resources:
- Warren County Mosquito Control for details on mosquito-borne diseases and control measures: warrencountymosquito.com.
- County Alert System for updates on public safety: warrencountynjdps.com.
- Centers for Disease Control for repellent guidelines: cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention.
- New Jersey Department of Health for information on mosquito-borne diseases: nj.gov/health/cd/topics/mosquitoborne.shtml.
