(Gloucester Township, NJ) – A Pine Hill resident has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Recently, the resident was admitted to a local hospital displaying symptoms consistent with EEE. On September 21, laboratory test results positive for EEE were reported to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. The patient remains hospitalized.
“Eastern Equine Encephalitis is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Only a few human cases are reported each year, and the disease can’t be passed directly from person to person,” said Commissioner Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Health Department. “The Camden County Department of Health is continuing to work with the Mosquito Commission to ensure that additional spraying and testing will be conducted in the area.”
Symptoms of EEE include, but are not limited to, a sudden onset of high fever, stiff neck, lack of energy, general muscle pain and a headache increasing in severity.
The best way to protect yourself from mosquitoes is to use insect repellent. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- DEET
- Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone
During the summer and fall months the Camden County Mosquito Commission schedules spraying on an as-needed basis based upon the results of their surveillance efforts and input from the public. The simple act of removing standing water from your property can help reduce the pest population in your neighborhood and assist the efforts of the commission.
For more information about Eastern Equine Encephalitis, please visit the CDC’s information webpage https://www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/
For more information, or to report a problem, contact the Camden County Mosquito Commission at (856) 566-2945 or skeeters@camdencounty.com.