Wall woman is NJ’s second West Nile death

A 57-year-old Monmouth County woman has become the second person in New Jersey to die of West Nile Virus.

The woman, a resident of Wall, died Sept. 9. According to Nicole Mulvaney, spokesperson for the NJ Department of Health, the woman was hospitalized in late August with encephalitis and was discharged to a rehabilitation center, where she died last week.

"NJ currently has 10 human West Nile cases with two deaths (Monmouth and Passaic). We are in the middle of our peak season, but this is a typical West Nile season. Mosquito pools have tested positive in all 21 counties, meaning West Nile Virus is statewide," Mulvaney told NJ 101.5 Monday afternoon.

The other West Nile death occurred in Passaic County the previous week.

According to the Department of Health, the highest concentration pools testing positive for West Nile are in Union, Middlesex, Bergen, Camden and Gloucester counties.

The DOH website states that West Nile is one of a family of viruses that can be spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The insects often become infected from feeding on birds that have the vuris in their bloodstream.

STEPS THAT RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, CONTRACTORS CAN TAKE TO PREVENT MOSQUITOS FROM BREEDING:

• At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels and cans.
• Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
• Remove discarded tires and other items that could collect water.
• Check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.
• Drill holes in the bottom and elevate recycling containers that are left outdoors.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, including those that are not being used.

Dino Flammia contributed to this report.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.