State health officials confirm West Nile virus in Saugus mosquito sample

(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Mike Gaffney, Media Website Content Manager for the Town of Saugus.)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced late on Thursday, Aug. 1 that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a mosquito sample collected from Saugus.

The positive sample was collected from a bird-biting species of mosquito in a mosquito pool in the southeastern quadrant of Saugus.

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

  – 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 2 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 3 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 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.

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 your windows and doors.

The Saugus Board of Health will continue to work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health through the remainder of peak arbovirus season. In addition, the Town of Saugus has partnered with the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control program in efforts to cull the acute populations of Culex Pipiens, a bird-biting mosquito, on a weekly basis in the Saugus area.

Between Sunday, Aug. 4 and Wednesday, Aug. 7 at noon, residents can call 978-352-2800 to request Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control ULV spraying treatments be made on their properties on Thursday, Aug. 8.

Please visit the Saugus Board of Health website at www.saugus-ma.gov/board-health for additional information, including updated vector-borne disease risk maps and FAQs. More information regarding arbovirus activity and mosquito-borne disease prevention is also available at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.