Camden County Addresses New Tick Found In New Jersey

Camden County officials addressed new developments as it relates to statewide tick populations and local neighborhoods on Thursday.

“According to the state Department of Health there have been four confirmed cases of Zika Virus from mosquitoes reported in New Jersey so far this year. We are working closely with our counterparts at the state and the CDC to monitor for all mosquito borne viruses including, West Nile Disease and Encephalitis,” Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, said. “Furthermore, we know that more people are contracting Lyme disease and other tick borne afflictions than ever before. We also know tick species, like the Lone Star, are expanding their range and bringing new communicable diseases to our region.”

Lyme disease is the fastest growing communicable disease in the nation and has tripled over the last 20 years, officials said. More than 5,000 people contracted Lyme disease in New Jersey last year. Furthermore, the Longhorn tick has been identified in four New Jersey counties, and the Lone Star tick is expanding.

“I encourage you and your family to be extra vigilant against ticks this year, and take precautions to reduce your risk of getting bitten,” Rodriguez said. “Avoid wooded areas with dense underbrush, wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and tuck your pants into your socks. Always wear insect repellents in high risk areas and check yourself frequently.”

Camden County supplies the entire state with a fish that eats mosquito larva before they become airborne to help reduce the mosquito population. More than 30,000 fish will be delivered to the Camden County Mosquito Commission in Lindenwold, where southern counties can pick up the Fathead Minnow and Killifish, both native species with no limitation on distribution. County mosquito agencies previously traveled to the Hackettstown Fish Hatchery for their supplies.

“An adult fish can consume hundreds of mosquito larva in a single day,” Rodriguez said. “This program will cut down on the use of pesticides in our environment by controlling the mosquito population in a natural way.”

The Camden County Mosquito Commission regularly checks several thousand suspected mosquito breeding sites across the county. Spraying is scheduled on an as needed basis based upon the results of their surveillance efforts.

“The commission works with the Public Health Environmental Laboratories in Trenton to verify the presence of West Nile Virus and other communicable diseases in their samples,” Freeholder Jeff Nash, liaison to the Camden County Mosquito Commission, said. “If a pool tests positive, the Mosquito Commission returns to spray the area. The sprayings take place when the mosquitoes are most active.”

The following is a checklist of tips to help eliminate mosquito breeding:

• Dispose of unnecessary containers that hold water. Containers you wish to save turn upside down or put holes in the bottom so all water drains out.
• Lift up flowerpots and dump the water from the dish underneath every week.
• Stock fish or add mosquito larvicide to ornamental ponds.
• Change water in bird baths, fountains, and animal troughs weekly.
• Screen vents to septic and other water tanks.
• Store large boats so they drain and small boats upside down. If covered, keep the tarp tight so water does not pool on top of the tarp.
• Do not dump leaves or grass clippings into a catch basin or streams.
• Do not allow water to collect on sagging tarps or awnings.
• Do not allow trash can lids to fill with water.
• Check downspouts that are able to hold enough water to allow mosquito larvae to mature.

For more information, or to report a problem, contact the Camden County Mosquito Commission at 856-566-2945 or skeeters@camdencounty.com.

Image via NJ Dept of Agriculture: Full and adult tick