West Nile Virus Found In Marblehead Mosquito

West Nile Virus was found in a mosquito sample collected in Marblehead Monday.

On Friday the state Department of Public Health told the Marblehead Health Department about the virus testing results, the health department said.

No human or animal cases of West Nile virus have been identified in Marblehead this year, the local health department said.

The health department has provided the following information and precautions:

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 WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection. 

Precautions:

• 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 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. 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)]. These products have restrictions, so make sure to follow the instructions on the product label. Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Drain Standing Water - 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.

Marblehead has worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control District throughout this season to reduce the risk of illness spread by mosquitoes. Mosquito pools are tested twice weekly from May to September in order to help identify infected mosquitoes. In addition, larvicide treatment of catch basins (where certain mosquitoes lay their eggs) was performed throughout the town.
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. You may also contact the Marblehead Board of Health at (781) 631-0212.