Township Spraying for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - Please be advised that The Union County Mosquito Control Bureau recently documented Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a human-biting mosquito species in the township.

The County will focus mosquito abatement services to the problem area based upon their mosquito surveillance data. The intention is to minimize potential for virus transmission to humans. The County program will continue to inspect, survey and treat areas, as needed. At present, there is need to perform focused adult mosquito control applications in the affected area. Additionally, please know that we are also experiencing an increase in West Nile virus activity county-wide.

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All of the information regarding Union County adult mosquito treatments can be found at www.UCNJ.org . Information on what residents can do can be found at https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/mosquitoborne.shtml ; and for information regarding mosquito positives throughout the State, please visit: https://shorturl.at/5Wfl5 .

The Township would like to remind residents to take steps to control mosquitoes both inside and outside their homes. Please be vigilant in the following steps to help protect you, your family and your neighbors from mosquito-borne illnesses, including, but not limited to:

• Get rid of all standing/stagnant water around your home. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers. Check inside and outside your home. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
• Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Sleep under a mosquito bed net if air conditioned or screened rooms are not available or if sleeping outdoors.
• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves/pants while in wooded areas.
• Stay indoors during dusk and dawn hours.

The Fight the Bite, NJ campaign launched by the Department of Health offers tools residents can use to protect themselves and their communities from mosquito-borne illnesses. Please visit that website for more preventative measures you can take to protect against mosquito bites. The CDC has more on EEE here ; information on mosquitoes, generally, here .

For more information contact Liza Viana, Township Administrator at 908-464-2700 ext 2232 or lviana@bhtwp.com.

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