West Nile Virus

A 15-year-old mare that contracted Encephalitis was euthenized, and a 10-year-old stallion infected with West Nile Virus is being treated.

In both instances, the horses that contracted the disease had not been inoculated against it this year.

No, that is not an optical illusion. Yes, that helicopter really is flying that low. Have you seen or heard this in your neighborhood and wondered what was going on? Well, here's what's going on:

The West Nile virus season is peaking in New Jersey.

Monmouth County health officials say they will spray for mosquitoes in two residential areas of the county this week, where evidence of West Nile Virus has been discovered.

As the summer temperatures continue trending warmer and more humid, mosquitoes which are known to carry the West Nile Virus are sampling in a flurry of small activity in parts of Monmouth County so officials are taking action.

West Nile has been in the Garden State for more than a decade. Now health officials fear Zika virus could emerge and spread here as well.

This season's first case of West Nile virus is logged in Ocean County, and health officials are using it to stress the need for precautions to prevent its spread.

A 57-year-old Monmouth County woman has become the second person in New Jersey to die of West Nile Virus.

The possibility of contracting West Nile Encephalitis remains alive and well at the Jersey shore, after several dead birds and mosquitoes tested positive last year. Ocean County Health Department Spokeswoman Leslie Terjesen said there were no reported human contractions last year.