Community Corner

West Nile Virus Confirmed in Newton Mosquitoes

Over the last few weeks, mosquitoes with West Nile Virus have been detected in West Roxbury and Roslindale.

The following is a press release issued by the Newton Department of Health & Human Services:

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in two Newton mosquito pools, the City’s Health & Human Services Department announced Thursday. There have been no reports of human infection in Massachusetts so far this year. 

The mosquitoes were trapped in Oak Hill and Newton Centre, but residents should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites regardless of where they live. 

“This was not a surprise given the West Nile Virus positive samples collected in West Roxbury and Roslindale over the past few weeks,” said Dori Zaleznik, Newton’s Health and Human Services Commissioner. “We know the virus is here, and it is important for people to take precautions like using mosquito repellent and limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.” 

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection. Last year a Newton resident in his 50s was hospitalized with WNV infection. 

“Most people who get West Nile Virus have a mild flu-like illness or do not experience symptoms at all,” Zaleznik said. “But it can cause severe disease, including high fever, headache, stiff neck and even disorientation or coma in some people.” 

You may have read about aerial spraying for mosquitoes that is planned for Southeastern Massachusetts this weekend. This spraying is to decrease the population of a different kind of mosquito that can become infected with the virus that causes Eastern Equine encephalitis (EEE) – a much more serious mosquito-borne infection. In this state, the EEE virus is most often identified in mosquitoes found in and around freshwater, hardwood swamps. 

“Those kinds of swamps aren’t in Newton or its surrounding communities, so the risk of EEE is low here,” Zaleznik said. “For that reason, there are no plans to spray for mosquitoes in Newton.” 

Newton’s efforts to address mosquito-borne illness are to treat catch basins where mosquitoes carrying WNV develop and to regularly trap and test mosquitoes to monitor the presence of WNV in the community. Newton participates in the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project. 

Here are a few, common-sense precautions people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito-borne infections: 

Avoid Mosquito Bites 
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing. 
• 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. 
• 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. 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home 
• Drain Standing Water - Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to develop 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 of your windows and doors. 

Information about WNV and reports of WNV activity in Massachusetts during 2012 can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv. Recorded information about WNV is also available by calling the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968). Additional information is available by calling the City of Newton Health & Human Services Department at 617-796-1420 or visiting www.newtonma.gov 


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