UPDATED, July 30: The state Department of Public Health announced Thursday, July 30 that West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Arlingtons.
In 2019, 8,295 mosquito samples were tested for the virus, and 87 samples were positive. Arlington had zero West Nile-positive mosquito samples identified in 2019.
West Nile 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 West Nile can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
By taking a few, common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:
Avoid mosquito bites
- 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 the 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.
Mosquitoproof 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 your windows and doors.
While the Arlington Health Department continues to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies, locally we are larviciding catch basins across town. One larvicide application occurred in June and another is scheduled for the coming weeks.
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.
On July 9, the state Department of Public Health announced that mosquito samples in Belmont have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Although there have been no human cases of the virus detected this year, it is important for residents to be aware and take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
“We want to remind residents that the possibility of contracting a mosquito-borne illness remains as long as West Nile Virus is circulating in the area,” Public Health Director Natasha Waden said in a July 9 news release. “We advise residents to be responsible when outdoors to prevent mosquito bites, especially during dawn and dusk, and to take precautions around your home to prevent mosquito breeding.”
West Nile is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. In 2019, there were five human cases of WNV in Massachusetts. While the virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk for severe infection.
Arlington works to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes by treating all storm water catch basins in town and wetland areas, and by working with property owners to remove large sources of standing water like abandoned swimming pools
State officials on July 8 urged the public to take proper precautions when outdoors after the mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus was detected in mosquitoes sampled in Orange and Wendell, Mass., in the past week.
Although Arlington is at low risk for EEE, residents are urged to take precautions against it and West Nile Virus to avoid mosquito bites during peak mosquito hours.
Mosquitoes are most active from dusk until dawn.
Read list of safety precautions >>
This news announcement was published Wednesday, July 8, 2020, and updated July 30.
