For Immediate
Release:
September
9, 2021
County Mosquito Control Division serves as
base of operations for CDC assessment
Mosquito Control will host CDC for two-week
study
TINTON FALLS,
NJ – The Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division will serve as the southern base
of operations for the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) mosquito surveillance
assessment project which will gather research about Eastern Equine Encephalitis,
a rare but severe mosquito-borne disease from Tuesday, Sept.7 to Friday, Sept.
17.
“We are
excited that our Mosquito Control facility will serve as a base of operations
for this two-week study led by the CDC,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A.
Arnone. “This study will assess mosquito surveillance methods for detecting Eastern
Equine Encephalitis in mosquitoes throughout New Jersey, and we are honored to serve
as their host.”
“The CDC,
New Jersey Department of Health, and New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection will be orchestrating field operations for the southern part of the State
and will use our facility to identify, sort and prepare mosquitoes for virus testing,”
said Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Monmouth
County Mosquito Control Division. “The goals of this study include evaluating
current monitoring locations, comparing the efficiency of various mosquito traps
and identifying new sites to monitor in the northern part of the state.”
“The EEE
virus can cause death or ongoing neurological problems so it is incredibly
important to improve early detection of the virus to direct mosquito control
resources,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Kiley. “Historically, September is
the peak season for infected mosquitoes to possibly transmit disease-causing viruses
like EEE and West Nile. Protect yourself and your loved ones by using insect
repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants and, where possible, stop
mosquitoes by dumping water from household containers like buckets, tires and
tarps.”
If you would like to read more about
the Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division, go to www.visitmonmouth.com.
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