|
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services announced
today that a fourth New Jersey resident has been infected with West
Nile virus.
A
53-year old Jersey City (Hudson County) man has tested positive
for West Nile virus. The man developed fever, headache, rash, muscle
weakness and muscle pain on September 2. He was admitted to Beth
Israel Medical Center in New York City on September 17. He was released
on September 19 and is recovering.
The
New York State Department of Health laboratory conducted testing
on patient samples and the positive results were reported today
to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.
The
patient does not have a history of recent blood transfusions or
organ transplants. The man, who works in New York City, had a history
of mosquito bites.
New
Jersey Health and Senior Services Commissioner Clifton R. Lacy,
M.D., reminds all New Jersey residents to continue taking appropriate
precautions to reduce risk of mosquito bites.
"Although
the season has now officially changed to fall, New Jerseyans remain
at risk for West Nile virus from mosquito bites until the weather
changes and frost appears. Until then, residents should continue
to protect themselves from infection by using insect repellent according
to labeled directions and wearing long-sleeved clothing, especially
at dawn, dusk and during the evening,'' Dr. Lacy said. "People
should also keep window screens in good repair and eliminate standing
water where mosquitoes can breed.''
For more information on West Nile virus, visit the state's home
page at www.state.nj.us/health and click
on "West Nile virus.''
#
# #
|
