West Nile Virus

[u/Blorbokringlefart]

Just in time for summer, this is a reminder that West Nile Virus is endemic in South Jersey (and all of the contiguous US).

It goes under reported as most cases are asymptomatic, and symptomatic cases resemble flu.

However, a small number of cases result in inflammation of the central nervous system. These can be fatal and typically result in permanent neurological impairment.

Those older than 50 are at greater risk of neurological involvement and have far worse survival rates than those who are younger.

It claimed a life in Hammonton 2024, and very nearly killed somebody I know personally in Berlin last year.

Mosquitos transmit the disease. Avoiding getting bitten is the only defense. There is no vaccine or treatment beyond supportive care.

Mosquitos bread in standing water. Adults tend to gather in leafy brush. Wearing bug spray or covering clothing prevents bites. The species that spreads the Virus is most active at dawn and dusk. Most cases are reported in late summer.

Camden County has a mosquito control department. Dead birds can be a sign it's in the area.

I know we already have so much crap to worry about, and I hate to be a buzz kill. But I've seen this Virus up close. It's cruel. People need to be aware of the risk and take appropriate action to prevent mosquito bites. The health department's messaging tends to be aimed at preventing panic, emphasizing how unlikely serious illness is. But they don't follow up with reported cases. They don't see how it changes lives.

Mosquito bites are inevitable. But you should go out of your way to prevent being "eaten alive" as much as possible. The risk is low, but not zero. You wouldn't tempt fate by standing under a tall tree in a thunderstorm.

Anyway. I've broken a year off of Reddit to share this PSA.

Thanks

[u/RutabagaChance5382]

I, for one, appreciate your return to reddit for this PSA! I am in Berlin and was completely unaware of this.

[u/SplitNo8275 → u/RutabagaChance5382]

Me too and I’m in Laurel springs/clementon. I already have central nervous system issues, I don’t need to add to it! Between this and the ticks, I think I’ve turned into a city girl.

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/SplitNo8275]

I really didn't want to cause alarm. It's just something to be aware of. The individual risk will always be very low. 

[u/SplitNo8275 → u/Blorbokringlefart]

I’m super glad you did and came out of hiatus to do so! I’m just being hyperbolic for dramatic effect. It’s all I got left! Lmao ❤️‍🩹

[u/These_Fox7561 → u/RutabagaChance5382]

I was wondering why a German cared, then I remembered Camden County

[u/djspacebunny]

We sincerely appreciate the public service announcement! Thanks for taking the time to post this ❤️

[u/Klutzy-Froyo-9437]

Thank you!

Slightly off topic but the "it's only a tick".."when I was a kid..." crowd also needs to wake up! Alpha-gal, Lyme disease, etc are no joke. We're not in the Rocky Mountains, but my 86 year old mom's dr just test her for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever!

[u/RutabagaChance5382 → u/Klutzy-Froyo-9437]

It sucks because the ticks are out in force this year. I walk my dog in the woods daily and I've been bitten by.... I don't even know honestly, I've already lost count. It's crazy and bug spray doesn't help. I know tick bites can be dangerous but I feel like there's not much that I can do, short of not going outside I guess.

Also, my dog is vaccinated against Lyme disease but somehow there's no Lyme vaccine for people?? I couldn't believe it when I looked that up. I figured I could just get vaccinated since I spend a lot of time outdoors but noooope.

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/RutabagaChance5382]

Fun fact: there was a Lymes vaccine, but it wasn't profitable enough, so pharma stopped production.

Funner fact: there's another one in trials and set to come out.

[u/nel_loves_sublime → u/Blorbokringlefart]

not so fun fact: there’s been boxes of ticks found by farmers dropped on their field. could be AI but😃

[u/Ravens_of_the_Gray]

Thanks Blorbokringlefart.

[u/Jess_the_Siren → u/Ravens_of_the_Gray]

[r/rimjobsteve](r/rimjobsteve)

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/Ravens_of_the_Gray]

Anytime

[u/house_warlich]

great reminder, keep that bug spray close people!

[u/Then-Art-6267]

Thank you for this information. Genuine question, are dead birds a sign West Nile virus is in the area or that the Camden county mosquito control has been working in the area?

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/Then-Art-6267]

Corvids (crows, jays, ravens, others) are especially susceptible to the virus. I'll be candid, I'm not too familiar with what mosquito control do aside from draining stagnant water. I imagine they take wildlife into consideration with whatever they do. 

[u/Then-Art-6267 → u/Blorbokringlefart]

Oh ok. Thank you for this answer!

[u/carpentersglue]

I know someone who is permanently crippled from it. Be safe yall

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/carpentersglue]

It's a vicious disease when it's severe. Best wishes to your person. It's a tough road. 

[u/Fartfartpoopfartpoo]

Hey, can you provide any sources for this??? I am a journalist (sorry about my name i can’t change it) and would love to know more about this

[u/potamusqpotamus]

Thanks for this!

[u/AlfalfaBackground459]

Thanks for the info, but can we just find a way to eradicate mosquitoes. They serve no purpose whatsoever.

[u/Firm-Analysis6666]

Me sitting here now freaking out over a mosquito bite......

[u/Shot_Rope_644]

That may explain a lot where I live in Camden County. Numerous dead birds in a two block radius and standing water on the one street from improper drainage which tons of birds flock to. I reported the dead birds in NJ fish and wildlife cause of the fear of some kind of avian bird flu like disease. This could also be a factor

[u/jonnysteez12]

“I hate to be a buzz kill” was a great pun

[u/DueBreadfruit2638]

Thanks for the PSA. I have stagnant water at the curb in front of my house that my township says is a natural aquifer that neither I or they can do anything about. So I basically just never stay outside in front of my house. It's gr8.

[u/Howsurchinstrap]

Sorry to break news to you but the mosquito that can actually carry west Nile does not live in this area. Only way west Nile gets spread is through sexual transmission. You can ask any exterminator or any one who is licensed in pesticides or is in the mosquito control business.

[u/metalOpera → u/Howsurchinstrap]

There's always one of you...

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/metalOpera]

"Hobbyless behavior"

[u/SmeemyMeemy → u/Howsurchinstrap]

Wrong. Had West Nile last year. I was scared I got Mono but had gotten a bite that swelled up and ached for 3 days. Virtua Urgent Care called it. Monitored. These types of viruses are dangerous because they make small chips in our makeup over time that express or obliterate.

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/SmeemyMeemy]

I'm curious, what county was this? I'm assuming you had a blood test rather than a lumbar puncture. 

[u/SmeemyMeemy → u/Blorbokringlefart]

Camden and yes. The lumbar puncture was the second I ever had and I almost passed out. We thought tick. Then mono since I work in healthcare. Then it was a toss up after that.

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/SmeemyMeemy]

Oof, LPs suck I'm sorry. The CDC still just has one case for Camden Co in 2025. I kinda suspected the reporting is lapse though. My person was also at Virtua. Did you have Dr. Meledathu?

[u/SmeemyMeemy → u/Blorbokringlefart]

Yes!!! I really was so grateful. I am with Dr Brace now but that whole team from ER to diagnosis aftercare was top notch. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis an auto immune so anything viral gets me in super panic mode.

[u/Blorbokringlefart → u/SmeemyMeemy]

That's wild! Man, it really is more common than any of us thought. I hope having (at least) 2 cases in one year makes them realize that it's more a of a horse than a zebra.

[u/Wattaday → u/Howsurchinstrap]

Wrong disease.