Zika Virus is the newest mosquito-borne virus to be reported circulating in different parts of the world. Like Zika, the Chikungunya, and Dengue Viruses are also new mosquito-borne viruses that have been circulating. Zika virus is carried by certain types of mosquitoes, that don’t live in NJ, but may live in warmer climates in the U.S. However, there is a new resident mosquito in New Jersey, the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopiticus), that can possibly carry these diseases, so we must watch for this occurrence.
There have not been any cases of Zika that have originated in people within the US, only in several people who returned from travel outside the country to areas where Zika has been spreading. Please read the information at the Centers for Disease Control link:www.cdc.gov/zika, about Zika Virus. You can also read about other types of diseases similar to Zika at nj.gov/health/cd/topics/vectorborne.shtml. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, and are planning travel or have recently returned from Zika affected areas, please read all information on the Centers for Disease Control and NJ Department of Health websites, and speak to your physician, to be sure to exercise precautions advised, or to have testing done as per the recommendations posted. If you are a man returning from Zika infected areas, please also read the advisories and testing information. It is possible that Zika can be spread from a man through semen. So it is important to follow recommendations for prevention.
Also, please see the travel advisories regarding Zika, especially for the protection of pregnant women, and women who are planning to become pregnant at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information. This link also gives information about travel advisories to for different areas of the world.
The NJ Department of Health and local health departments will monitor this disease through surveillance, and as usual, mosquito control efforts and surveillance are important to controlling the spread of these diseases to the US and New Jersey. At this time, we do not have any cases of these diseases that have originated here in NJ. Please see
Please see https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/public-works/roads-bridges/mosquito-control/faqs to learn about the importance of mosquito control and what you can do in our area to control mosquito-borne illness.
Please call the Hillsborough Health Department if you have any questions or concerns.