Story and photos by Joseph Sapia
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – Borough resident Richard Stockton summed up what those studying mosquitoes know.
“Mosquitoes have killed more human beings than any other animal on the planet,” said Stockton, 77.
Stockton and his wife, Margaret, 76, had just stopped by an information table on mosquitoes and their associated diseases set up Saturday, Aug. 13, in Veterans Memorial Park. It was staffed by representatives of the Monmouth County Health Department.
The information tables – one set up in the park, another at the Super Foodtown supermarket on Route 36 – were in response to a West Nile virus (WNV) scare in the borough, according to Borough Administrator Adam Hubeny. A borough man has a suspected, probable or confirmed case – depending on which borough or county official is speaking.
“We’re paying attention to this, we’re concerned,” Hubeny said.
County Mosquito Control, which is part of the health department, responded because of the local case and sprayed pesticide July 26 in the borough’s Woodland Park area – the area behind the Sunoco gasoline station on Route 36 – where the man lives, Hubeny said.
WNV encephalitis, which is transmitted through a mosquito bite, can cause inflammation of the brain, according to the state Department of Health. Only 20 percent of those infected show symptoms, such as fever, headache, body aching, according to the state health department.
While severe infections could result in paralysis or death, people 50 and older or those with compromised immune systems are more at risk, according to the state health department.
As people passed through Veterans Memorial Park, they stopped by the information table.
Scott Zoeller, 52, said he lives near Pomphrey Pond in Rumson. “Just wanted to understand it,” Zoeller said. “We have some mosquitoes.” Zoeller is headed to Miami, where the Zika virus has been found. “We’ll just take precautions,” Zoeller said.
“I wanted to come down and get some information,” Margaret Stockton said. “We’ve had so many mosquitoes.”
Richard Stockton said this season’s mosquitoes seemed “the worst” in the couple’s 37 years in their house. Another borough resident, Allen Riso, 62, said his East Mount Avenue neighborhood is “clobbered” with mosquitoes this year. Riso said he uses insect repellent.
“When you’re aware, you don’t have much to worry about,” Riso said.
The latest information released by the state Department of Health shows two WNV cases statewide this season – one in Camden
County, one in Monmouth County. County officials, on the other hand, have talked about two cases, apparently in Atlantic Highlands and another in the Belmar-Spring Lake area.
Allen Riso, 62, of Atlantic Highlands stops by a Monmouth County Health Department table providing mosquito information in his town’s Veterans Memorial Park. He talks to Terry Ruane, a senior public health nurse in the health department.
In the same conversation, county spokeswoman Laura Kirkpatrick described one of the county cases as “probable” and County Health Officer Christopher P. Merkel said it is being viewed “as a confirmed case.”
“We’re working with the individual and doctor,” Merkel said. “As far as we’re concerned, there’s two cases in Monmouth County.”
Merkel declined to discuss the classification further.
Specifics on cases are limited because the state and county health departments release little information due to medical confidentiality aspects.
The latest state information shows 102 pools of mosquitoes testing positive for WNV in the state, including 10 in Monmouth County.
“We’ve identified pools,” Kirkpatrick said. “Our proactive approach is to go in and spray in that area.”
“That’s really been the county’s message, reduce the mosquito population,” Kirkpatrick said. “We’ve been at this for years. Zika has created this heightened awareness. Let’s get rid of the mosquitoes.”
Monmouth County has more than 60 species of mosquitoes, but not all bite and not all carry West Nile, according to Mosquito Control.
According to the state health department, no other mosquito illnesses have been recorded this season as originating in the state. However, five mosquito pools with Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), including one in Monmouth County, have been identified in the state. But no EEE cases have been identified in horses.
“We’re hoping people get educated on how to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in the areas where West Nile has been found,” said Serena DiMaso, deputy director of the county Board of Freeholders.
“I think the first thing is awareness,” said Rhonda C. Le Grice. “I think it goes back to education.”
Le Grice said the county has been “an excellent source of information.”
Margaret Stockton said she was concerned about mosquitoes. She said the family was throwing a barbeque and would spray ahead of time.
“He doesn’t get bitten as much as I do,” Margaret Stockton said.
“Because you’re sweeter than I am,” her husband replied.
The state Department of Health West Nile virus internet information page is nj.gov/health/cd/westnile.
Monmouth County Mosquito Control can be found at the county website, visitmonmouth.com.
