Politics & Government

West Nile Virus Detected in Marblehead

Marblehead's Health Director issued this warning about West Nile Virus in Marblehead.

The following press release was issued by the town's Health Director, Wayne O. Attridge:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has notified the Marblehead Board of Health that West Nile Virus has been identified in mosquitoes from a surveillance site in Marblehead. Mosquito collection and testing gives the most reliable indication of WNV activity.

WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. Your local health department and MDPH remind Massachusetts residents to reduce their risk of West Nile Virus infection by considering the use of appropriate personal protective measures.

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Personal protective measures can include:

  • Schedule outdoor events to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and socks if you must be outside.
  • Use a repellent with DEET (N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR3023), IR13535 (3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid) or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane 3, 8-diol [PMD]) according to label instructions.
  • More information on choosing and safely using repellents can be found online at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv or by contacting MDPH at (617) 983-6800.
  • More information on health effects of pesticides contact MDPH, Center for Environmental Health at (617) 624-5757.
  • Ensure that household screens are intact and tightly attached to all doors and windows.
  • Remove areas of standing water around your home to eliminate breeding areas for mosquitoes.
  • Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent proper drainage of rainwater.
  • Remove, turn over or regularly empty containers and other thing that might collect water, including wading pools and wheelbarrows.
  • Empty birdbaths every 2-3 days; aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
  • Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers.

Dead birds are no longer being tested for WNV and do not need to be reported to MDPH. Dead birds can be safely disposed of in the trash. Use gloves or a shovel to collect the dead bird, then double bag it in plastic bags and place in the trash. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards.

Find out what's happening in Marbleheadwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Northeast Mosquito Control will continue to monitor mosquitoes in Marblehead and surrounding communities during the mosquito season. The Marblehead Board of Health continues to work closely with MDPH and the Northeast Mosquito Control to enhance further surveillance of WNV.

More information on surveillance of mosquitoes, horses and humans can be found at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv or by calling the Marblehead Board of Health at 781 631-0212.


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