JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --
The Burlington County Mosquito Division will spray for adult mosquitos within a half-mile radius of Child Development Center 1 on Can Do Way and the Noncommissioned Officers' Academy on Delaware Ave. between 8 and 11 p.m. Sept. 5.
The 87th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health Flight detected the West Nile virus while routinely testing mosquitos trapped throughout populated areas on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
"The two areas identified are the first and only that have tested positive of the thirteen areas routinely tested on base," Maj. Belinda Cole, 87th AMDS Public Health Flight commander. "We are working closely with Burlington County public health officials to ensure mosquito population controls are performed within a half-mile radius around the areas where the West Nile virus has been detected."
Trucks licensed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Pesticide Control Program will pass through the area spraying an ultra-fine mist of commercial pesticide.
The pesticides used for mosquito control have been judged by the EPA not to pose an unreasonable risk to human health, according to the Center for Disease Controls. However, individuals who are concerned about exposure to the pesticides can reduce their potential for exposure by staying indoors.
Base officials stress that the measures being taken are preventative in nature.
"While two sample pools of mosquitoes tested positive, we have had no confirmed cases of the West Nile virus throughout the joint base community," said Cole. "We strongly encourage the joint base community to remain vigilant and take proper precautions since prevention is always the best defense."
Dusk to dawn are peak times for mosquito activity so even though the infected mosquitoes were found near the CDC, it is unlikely due to the operating hours and schedule of the CDC that children will be affected by the mosquitoes.
Prevention measures include:
· Using insect repellent containing an EPA registered active ingredient;
· Limiting outdoor activity at dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active;
· Wearing long sleeve clothing and pants;
· Protecting homes with good window screens and doors;
· Emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels;
· Changing the water in pet dishes and bird baths weekly. Additional information is located at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html (Editor's Note: Information for this article was taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Additionally, the appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of this website or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sites, the Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this DoD website.)