New Jersey has a long history of organized mosquito surveillance, necessitated by the state’s unique geography. In East Central NJ, the combination of saltwater marshes and freshwater inland pockets supports various species capable of transmitting viruses.
West Nile Virus (WNV): This remains the most prevalent mosquito-borne disease in the region. Surveillance data from 2024 and early 2025 highlights consistent positive mosquito pools in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. While many cases are asymptomatic, the virus poses a risk of neuroinvasive disease, particularly for older adults in the community.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE): Though rarer than WNV, EEE is significantly more severe. It is traditionally linked to the freshwater cedar swamps found in the Pinelands and surrounding areas of Ocean County. In late summer and early fall, “bridge vectors” can move the virus from bird populations to humans and horses.
Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV): An emerging concern in New Jersey, JCV has been detected in local mosquito pools (including Monmouth County) in recent years. It typically circulates in early spring, following the emergence of snowpool mosquito species.
East Central New Jersey is considered a high-incidence area for tick-borne pathogens. The “Garden State” consistently ranks among the top states for Lyme disease cases, with the coastal plain providing an ideal habitat for several tick species.
Lyme Disease: Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, Lyme disease is endemic throughout the region. Research indicates that over 40% of ticks acquired in residential settings in Monmouth County are removed from children and seniors, emphasizing the risk within private yards.
The Rise of the Lone Star Tick: Historically a southern species, the Lone Star tick is now firmly established in East Central NJ. Unlike the deer tick, it is highly aggressive and active. It is the primary vector for Ehrlichiosis and has been linked to the development of Alpha-gal syndrome, a serious red-meat allergy.
Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis: These “co-infections” are frequently transmitted by the same deer ticks that carry Lyme. Cases in Central Jersey have seen an upward trend as tick populations expand due to shorter, milder winters.
