The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced Monday a second confirmed human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Middlesex County. In addition to the 2 cases identified in Middlesex County, there have been 2 other human WNV cases identified in Massachusetts this year.
West Nile positive mosquitos are currently widespread across Massachusetts due to abundant rainfall in August. While Concord’s MDPH risk rating for WNV remains Moderate, residents should remain vigilant to protect themselves from mosquito bites whether at home or visiting other areas in the state, and should be aware that MDPH has changed the risk level to High in the following nearby communities in our area: Arlington, Boston, Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Medford, Newton, Somerville, and Watertown.
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.
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.
The Town of Concord contracts with East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (EMMCP) for the following services:
• Adult mosquito surveillance.
• Larval mosquito control with Vectolex WSP (biological agent) at 2,400 catch basins.
• Ground applications of Bti (biological agent) at wetlands to control potential mosquito larvae
EMMCP provides an integrated mosquito management program including catch basin larval control program, surveillance and trapping, wetland inspections to monitor larval populations and identify obstructions in drainage systems. At this time, the Town of Concord does not utilize aerial spraying as a means of mosquito control.
Visit the Concord Health Division webpage http://concordma.gov/686/Mosquito-Information for more information on West Nile virus, use of mosquito repellants, and other information on prevention of mosquito-borne diseases.
Based on mosquito surveillance and presence of animal and/or human cases of WNV and EEE, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health updates the current Risk Level for WNV and EEE in Concord and other towns at least weekly during the summer mosquito season.
Please see MPDH's webpage on Mosquito-Borne Diseases for more information.
Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv.