Surveillance of the West Nile Virus (WNV) is done through the monitoring and testing of dead crows. Crows appear to be the best indicator for WNV in an area. A crow's feet, beak, feathers and eyes are all black. If you should find a dead crow in good condition, please call the Health Officer at 973-331-3316 (only crows will be accepted).
WNV is a mosquito borne virus that normally is a disease of birds. However, people may contract the disease when bitten by an infected mosquito. It is not transmitted from person to person contact. There is no evidence to date that people may get the virus from handling dead birds. But to be safe, residents should always avoid bare hand contact with any dead animal or bird, use gloves or double plastic bags. The symptoms of WNV are usually mild - fever, headache, body ache, possible skin rash and swollen lymph glands. More severe infections can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and rarely, death.
You can significantly reduce the risk of acquiring WNV by surveying your own property for mosquito breeding sites. Recent studies have shown that the type of mosquito spreading WNV is the type that breeds around homes. The best way to reduce the possibility of acquiring the virus is to reduce the mosquito population. All mosquitoes require an aquatic stage to complete their life cycle. By reducing the amount of standing water, we can reduce the areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs and develop into biting adults. You can help by removing water from tires, birdbaths, wading pools, pool covers, buckets, cans, rain barrels, clogged gutters, wheelbarrows, and plant pots. You can also help by aerating ornamental pools or stocking them with fish, regularly cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools, and by using landscaping to eliminate standing water on your property. You can make a significant difference by removing these sources.