Whitman and Hanson are both issuing public advisories concerning mosquito-borne illness after a Whitman test sample had a positive result for West Nile Virus (WNV) and Hanson’s risk level was raised to moderate after a mosquito sample in neighboring Halifax tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Whitman on Friday, Aug.1 and on Thursday, Aug. 1 that EEE had been found in the Halifax sample.
There have been no reported cases of either illness in residents of any of the three towns, but state and local public health officials cautioned residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and to ensure mosquitoes do not find hospitable conditions on their property.
“No people have tested positive, this was a test mosquito,” said Whitman Health Agent Daniel Kelly. “As far as this year, this mosquito season, this was the first positive sample they’ve received. … they put out a notice to the town, to make sure people are wearing the bug spray, covering up and the like.”
Hanson Health Agent Gil Amado also stressed the state’s alert only raises the risk level to moderate.
“That particular sample covers about six different towns,” Amado said. “We’re in two quadrants. .. this one is [centered] further down, south of us.”
He said between the dry weather and the number of people using mosquito repellant, and Plymouth County Mosquito Control, which “does a fantastic job” with aerial spraying, it makes news of positive test samples less jarring, so long as there are no human cases reported.
WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state, and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
EEE is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe illness, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). While rare, EEE has a high fatality rate among those who develop symptoms.
The state test sites capture thousands of mosquitos to test for the two vector-borne viruses and if one or both are found, local health officials are alerted.
In addition to the usual precautions listed below, residents can contract with a private contractor to purchase spraying, or contact the Plymouth County Mosquito Control and they can request their street to be sprayed free of charge.
By taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:
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. 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.
- 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 – 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 of your windows and doors.
Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.