Jackson horse euthanized after contracting West Nile Ocean County has recorded its first case of equine West Nile virus since September 2006. A 21-yearold mare from Jackson became sick on Sept. 26 and was euthanized the next day due to deteriorating health conditions. Blood samples later confirmed the presence of the virus. The horse was not vaccinated for the virus, according to an Ocean County Health Department spokesman. "Unfortunately, this tragic case reminds us of the importance of vaccinations. West Nile virus is still among us and will be until we get a hard frost to kill off the mosquito population," said Edward Rumen, the department's public information officer. Rumen said so far this season, 14 birds have tested positive for the presence of West Nile virus in Ocean County with seven positive birds collected in Jackson, three in Lakewood and four in Toms River. There have been 10 positive mosquito pools confirmed in the county so far this season. Eight of the pools are in Jackson, one in Plumsted and one in Lakewood. "Each season we actively seek to locate and minimize West Nile activity within Ocean County," said Freeholder Jerry P. Little, liaison to the Board of Health. "We recommend everyone to continue to take those measures that can help you protect yourself and your pets from being bitten by mosquitoes that may carry the virus. Keep your yard free of standing water, where mosquitoes can breed, and when outdoors when mosquitoes are active, use an insect repellent with DEET in it." Rumen said residents also can help control the spread of the virus within the county by reporting dead crow or dead blue jay sightings to the health department at (732) 341-9700, ext. 7502. A field technician will come to examine the dead bird, determine if it is a crow or a blue jay and suitable for lab testing. "Due to state guidelines we are no longer accepting dead birds from Jackson for testing since it has exceeded the sampling numbers the state lab will accept," Rumen said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 percent of mosquitoes carry the virus in areas where it is established. And less than 1 percent of people bitten by those mosquitoes ever develop serious symptoms. Very few persons infected with West Nile virus show any symptoms, which may include low-grade fever, headache, and occasionally, swollen lymph glands. More severe signs and symptoms can include stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, brain inflammation, coma, and rarely, death. "Although the risk of contracting the virus remains low, residents should take sensible precautions, especially since we know the virus is still present in Ocean County," Rumen said. The health department advises taking the following actions to reduce the chances of being bitten by a mosquito: • If possible, limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. • If the weather permits, wear longsleeved shirts and long pants outdoors. • Keep screen doors and screen windows in good repair. • When venturing outdoors, use an insect repellent containing DEET on skin or clothing, or a repellent containing permethrin on clothing. Do not use repellents on children younger than 3. Always use a repellent according to directions on its container. • Keep gutters clear of debris, change water frequently in bird baths, empty kiddie wading pools as often as possible, clean yards of old tires or other items where rain water can accumulate, and keep shrubs and lawns trimmed. This will help reduce the environment where mosquitoes breed or hide. For more information on West Nile virus or to see photos of crows, visit the Ocean County Health Department Web site at www.ochd.org or visit the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Internet Web site at www.state.nj.us/health for additional references.