Mosquito pool tests positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Rockaway Township

Amanda Wallace , NorthJersey.com

On Aug. 22, Rockaway Township released an advisory alerting residents that a viral, mosquito spread infection called Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) was found in a mosquito pool near Valley Road in the northern part of the town.

Although the county has since conducted a spraying operation near the site of the positive pool, Peter Tabbot, health officer for the Division of Health in Rockaway Township, says that residents should still take precautions to reduce mosquito bites.

Here is what we know.

EEE in Rockaway Township

According to Tabbot, Rockaway Township was advised by the Morris County Division of Mosquito Control that a mosquito in a pool of collected mosquitos tested positive for EEE on Aug. 22.

The town has since been advised by Morris County that spraying took place during the early morning hours on Saturday, Aug. 24. According to Tabbot, the area was treated with synthetic pyrethroid insecticides which are commonly found in commercial and some household insecticide and pest products.

"They are considered to be a group of manmade pesticides that have little risk to human health and the environment," said Tabbot.

Although the town has been advised that spraying took place and there have not been any human cases of EEE reported in Morris County, officials are still encouraging residents to take precautions and attempt to reduce mosquito bites.

"I can simply tell you that there are no human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the area but … the information for residents remains the same as it would any time a mosquito pool tests positive or generally speaking since the advent of West Nile Virus in the western hemisphere in 1999, we advise residents to take precautions to reduce mosquito bites," said Tabbot.

Precautions to take

According to the statement released by the town on Aug. 22, some precautions that residents can take include:

  • Repairing window and door screens as necessary

  • Minimizing outdoor activities at dawn, dusk and evening hours

  • Wearing long shirts and pants when outdoors

  • Spraying insect repellant on exposed skin and clothing in accordance with labeling instructions

  • Eliminating standing water in flowerpots, buckets, tires, pools, playground equipment, etc.

  • Emptying and refilling birdbaths weekly

"Again, given the fact that it is a positive mosquito pool and not a human case, we still want to make sure residents take those precautions," said Tabbot, stating that EEE and West Nile Virus are the two most common mosquito-borne diseases in New Jersey. "We have had other positive pools in Northern New Jersey recently. We take it seriously and just want residents to exercise any precaution they can."

Rockaway Township residents may call the town division of health at 973-983-2848 for general information regarding mosquito-borne diseases and mosquito control on one's property.

Residents should report mosquito problems and standing water to the Morris County Division of Mosquito Control at 973-285-6450.

More: Person dies in New Hampshire after contracting EEE as Northeast states warn of mosquito-borne virus

EEE in New Jersey

EEE is most common in the eastern half of the United States.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health's Vector-borne Disease Data Dashboard, there have been two positive mosquito pools found in Morris County so far in 2024. Two positive pools have also been found in Union County this year.

Hunterdon, Monmouth and Cape May counties have each had one positive mosquito pool.

Last year in the northern half of the state there were two positive pools found in Sussex County and one positive pool each in Morris, Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

As for South Jersey, 13 total positive pools were found across Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May counties.

In 2024, there has been one human case of EEE in the state. There have been six total human cases in New Jersey since 2010, according to the dashboard.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious viral infection that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, EEE can affect humans, horses and some birds but it can only be spread by mosquitos.

Per the NJ Department of Health, some people infected with EEE do not become ill and may not develop symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can be anywhere from mild to severe, showing up between three and 15 days after being bitten.

Symptoms of EEE

Mild symptoms can include:

  • Flu-like illness

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Sore throat

  • Stiff neck

  • Lack of energy

  • Muscle aches

  • Confusion

Severe cases of EEE can lead to hospitalization, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) which can lead to coma, convulsions, and can be fatal.

According to the NJ Department of Health, there is no specific treatment for EEE as anti-viral drugs have not shown to be effective against the virus.

The highest risk of EEE is between late July and early October and the best way to protect yourself is to prevent mosquito bites.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Eastern Equine Encephalitis found in Rockaway NJ mosquito

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