New Jersey has at least three confirmed cases of West Nile virus this year, earlier than usual. Two residents were diagnosed with West Nile virus in early July. One of the patients was over 70 years old, and the other was under 18, the health department said. Both were hospitalized and later released. The third case is a Somerset County resident who was asymptomatic but tested positive for the virus after trying to donate blood.<\/p>\n
West Nile virus infection cases usually start to appear around mid-August, but this year it is unusually early. West Nile virus, which is mainly transmitted by Asian tiger mosquitoes, is a type of encephalitis that causes fatal damage to the brain. In children and the elderly, it can develop into encephalitis and meningitis, and in severe cases, it can lead to death. The health department said, \u201cWest Nile virus activity is appearing in New Jersey earlier than expected this year. Please take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"