There has been a documented case of West Nile virus — a mosquito borne disease that spreads to humans during contact –  in Passaic County as well as many more around New Jersey, reported a local newspaper. 15 cases have been tabulated in New Jersey. The symptoms do not appear immediately  following a mosquito bite, it takes days and sometimes weeks for them to appear; the Center for Disease Control (CDC) says, “People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after they are bitten by the infected mosquito.”

Symptoms includes: “high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis,” in most severe cases; while for mild cases the symptoms are as follows: “fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back,” this according to the CDC.

76 people have died as a result of West Nile virus infection nationwide. In New Jersey, on Sept. 2, 2012, the first death was recorded in Willingboro Township, no more than 100-miles from Paterson, where a 77-year-old man died after contracting the infection — the man was hospitalized with fever for a week.

The center suggests individuals to take precaution when heading outside into their yard or any place where mosquitoes abound by using insect repellent, and or wearing long sleeves, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes  are most active. It also advises that individuals empty pots, buckets, barrels, and any other place where water is trapped, for these serve as breeding ground for mosquitoes.