The Board of Health has been notified of a West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquito sample in Hanson. The test raised the town’s threat level to moderate, according to Health Agent Gil Amado.
Whitman’s Board of Health Administrative Assistant Dina Amado said that town, as well as neighboring Rockland have also raised their risk levels to moderate.
They join the communities of Halifax, Plympton, Kinston, Middleborough, Carver, Plymouth and Wareham on the moderate risk list for WNV. The rest of the state is low-to-remote risk of EE and only a few at low-risk only for WNV at the moment, according to the ma.gov website.
No mosquitoes have yet tested positive for WNV, Dina Amado said.
“Only a small number of mosquitoes are infected at any given time, so being bitten by a mosquito does not mean you will get sick,” the state Department of Public Health stresses. “However, the best way to avoid both of these illnesses is to prevent mosquito bites.”
West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are viruses that occur in Massachusetts and can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious disease like encephalitis or meningitis.
While the risk of human infections is low, certain steps should be taken to protect yourself.
- Be prepared: Repair screens, clean up to get rid of mosquito breeding sites, be aware of stagnant water on private property (e.g. unused swimming pools).
- Wear mosquito repellent between dusk and dawn;
- Wear long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn;
- Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens.
— Tracy F. Seelye