Newton Mosquitos Test Positive for West Nile

The Newton Board of Health and Human Services announced Thursday afternoon that four separate mosquito pools in the city had tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The specific location of the infected pools was not released, but the press release does advise that residents throughout the city take precautions against mosquito bites.

"This was not a surprise given the West Nile Virus positive samples collected in neighboring communities 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.”

So far this season, there haven't been any human cases of WNV reported in the state; however, individuals from Newton have been infected in prior years, the press release cautions. People over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of severe infection.

Newton routinely treats water basins in order to help curb the mosquito population. There are no plans to spray for adult mosquitos at this time, the release reads.

The state Department of Public Health has raised the WNV threat level in Newton from low to moderate following the location of the virus.

For more information, contact the Department at (617) 796-1420 or visit www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

The following precautions were advised:

• Wear mosquito repellent when 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.
• Weather permitting, wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors during peak mosquito hours (from dusk to dawn)
• Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens outdoors
• Repair window and door screens in your home
• Dump standing water twice weekly
• Be aware of stagnant water on private property (e.g. unused swimming pools)- these should be reported to the Health & Human Services Department