A Sussex County resident is among the first reported cases in New Jersey this year of West Nile virus, the potentially fatal neuroinvasive disease spread by mosquitos, state officials said.

Health officials are gearing up for a potentially busy West Nile season because the virus has been detected in more than 700 mosquito pools in all 21 counties — more than this time last year when transmission was very high.

Other human cases include an Atlantic County child who reported symptoms around mid-July and a Middlesex County adult whose onset began in early August, according to the state Department of Health. Both were released from the hospital and are recovering at home.

The Sussex County resident did not develop symptoms, but the virus was detected when the person donated blood, officials

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