Health officials are concerned about an elevated risk of the West Nile virus stemming from Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, according to reports.
The West Nile virus is contracted from mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. Most people who are infected do not show any symptoms, but some suffer fevers, headaches, body aches, vomiting or rash, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It's reportedly too early to predict how severe the potential threat will be. However, officials expressed concerned about an influx of mosquitoes being able to breed because of water contaminated with debris left behind from the storm.
"If the weather conditions are conducive, then the habitats could lead to increases, as well as the number of birds with the virus," Shereen Semple, an epidemiologist of vector-borne diseases with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services told NJ.com.
New Jersey has experienced severe rainstorms in recent weeks, and though at this stage the increase is only a potential risk, officials still want to take extra precautions.
Leslie Terjesen, public information officer for the Ocean County Health Department, told NJ.com that the virus is always an annual concern and stressed the importance of removing dead birds where mosquitoes can contract the virus.
"We are really concerned about the after-effects of Sandy and standing water," Terjesen said, "especially the storm drains still clogged with sand and dumpsters in yards, which may not be picked up yet, since that is a great place for breeding."
Another factor making it difficult for researchers to predict is how few report having the virus is. There is currently no treatment for the virus.
"It's always under reported because if someone has a mild case they might not report it; they might think it's a cold," Judith M. Lavelle, Health Communications Specialist at the CDC told Patch.com.
According to reports, there were more than 5,600 "confirmed and probable" cases of the virus in the United States in 2012, and at least 286 related deaths.
