The Board of Health was notified this week of the State’s second confirmed human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) this season. As a result of these two cases and ongoing evidence of WNV in mosquitoes, risk levels have been elevated to high in Belmont, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Revere, Saugus, Somerville, Wakefield, and Watertown.
West Nile Virus is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
Although the temperatures are cooler, this is the peak time of year when most people could be exposed to the virus. Everyone is encouraged to follow the precautions below to avoid bites from an infected mosquito.
APPLY INSECT REPELLENT WHEN YOU GO OUTDOORS.
Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
CLOTHING CAN HELP REDUCE MOSQUITO BITES.
Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
BE AWARE OF PEAK MOSQUITO HOURS
The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
DRAIN STANDING WATER
Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
INSTALL OR REPAIR SCREENS
Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all your windows and doors.
Central Mass Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) is no longer accepting residential spray requests for the season. Spraying will continue as necessary for schools, Town events and virus detections. CMMCP will work to complete as many outstanding residential service requests as possible.
Please find current virus information at this link:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update