West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in New Jersey
mosquitoes earlier than expected this year, starting in mid-May. To date, mosquitoes
have tested positive for WNV in 15 of NJ's 21 counties. Healthcare
providers should be alert for potential cases of WNV and other mosquito-borne
diseases as the summer progresses, specifically in patients presenting with neuroinvasive disease (e.g., encephalitis,
meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis) of unknown etiology or with a febrile
illness of unknown etiology if an arboviral disease is suspected.
The attached message
provides recommendations for testing and information on how to access public
health testing. Healthcare providers are encouraged to submit specimens to
NJDOH for expanded arboviral panel testing, particularly for viruses where
commercial testing is unavailable (e.g., Powassan, Eastern equine encephalitis,
Jamestown Canyon virus).
NJDOH requests that
laboratories send all IgM antibody positive or equivocal test results for WNV, Chikungunya,
and Zika; and IgM antibody equivocal test results for dengue to NJDOH/PHEL for
confirmatory testing.
This information has been broadcast to: Community Health Centers(FQHCs); Animal Health Professionals; Animal Control Officer (ACO); Veterinarians; Emergency Medical Services / First Responders; County OEM; EMS; Fire; Local OEM; Police; Health Care Facilities/Other; Adult Day Health Care Services; LTC/Assisted Living; Rehabilitation; Surgical Centers; Health Care Providers; Dental; Dialysis; Hospice/Palliative care; ICP; Internal Medicine; Medical Specialty; OBGYN; Pediatric; Primary Care Physicians ; Urgent Care; Hospitals/Acute Care; Hospital Emergency Dept; Hospital Medical Directors; Hospital Nursing Directors; Hospitals/Other; Hospitals/Veterans; Labs/Non-Sentinel; Labs/Sentinel; Local Boards of Health; Communicable Disease; County LINCS; Mosquito Control;