New Jersey is now among the states that have seen a rise in cases of rare but potentially deadly mosquito borne viruses.

With Eastern Equine encephalitis detected in several mosquito pools across the state.

That's in Cape May, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Morris and Union Counties, along with one person infected.

Over in New Hampshire.

The virus has reportedly now claimed a life.

While four cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed by the State Department of Health here, the most recent in Camden County, officials aren't releasing details about the infected residents age, location or condition and say there's no need to panic.

But you should stay informed.

For more on that, we turn to Montclair State University epidemiologist Dr. Stephanie Silvera.

Stephanie Silvera, good to see you as always.

We should note that even though there is a case of this Eastern equine encephalitis, it is still very rare.

Yes, absolutely.

So I believe right now in the entire country, there have been four noted cases.

And the good news about this particular virus is that, yes, it's very dangerous.

If you are infected and become symptomatic.

But most most patients, about 95% of people who are infected do not show signs of clinical disease.

So what are the symptoms?

I mean, what should people know so they don't feel alarmist?

You know, when they get a mosquito bite because inevitably we're going to have them.

Some are still going.

We have a big holiday weekend coming up.

Right.

So, unfortunately, the symptoms are sort of generic to start.

So they are fever, fatigue.

You will start to, if it progresses progressive, you can start to see some changes in that individual's behavior.

Again, that said, most people who get a mosquito bite are not going to be infected and most people who are infected are not going to develop this disease.

So what do you think is most important then for folks as they head outside and maybe to some barbecues or the beach this weekend?

To to understand and to know about also how to protect themselves.

I mean, is is regular bug spray enough or is there more that we should be doing?

I think the typical what we recommend for any sort of mosquito borne illness prevention where those DEET based mosquitoes wear a bug sprays.

Right.

So the ones that don't have feet that might smell really pretty aren't going to protect you as well.

If there's any standing water in your property, you're going to want to make sure that that gets dumped, that allows the larva to regenerate.

We don't want that.

So if you have a pool, make sure that you're running that motor.

If you have pots, tip them over.

You can also use some of those buggers in your backyard that should kill them as well.

But again, the other option, if you aren't comfortable with DEET, there are treated clothing that you can purchase, especially if you're going hiking, long tee shirts, long pants, if you can tolerate them in the heat, are recommended.

Yeah, that's all good advice.

There was also, Stephanie, a fourth case of West Nile virus contracted in New Jersey.

I wonder just about the transmission of these viruses.

Is it becoming more prevalent?

Are we actually seeing more or are we getting better about reporting it?

Where do we sort of stand when we look at how many cases we would typically have, if at all in a season?

So I think that part of it is also that we're all just much more aware of the spread of viruses now, particularly post COVID.

So people are more likely to report we're more likely to report our symptoms this year for West Nile actually hasn't been particularly bad.

And for Eastern Equine encephalitis, the peak was in 2019 with about 34 cases.

So we are still at well below what we have seen in the past.

That doesn't mean we should be complacent, right?

Nobody likes a mosquito bite whether you're getting an illness from it or not.

So do everything you can to reduce the number of mosquitoes in and around your property.

Dr. Stephanie Silveira, thank you so much, as always.

Thank you.