Heightened Mosquito Concerns

The state Department of Public Health has elevated the West Nile virus risk level to “High” in Saugus

  (Editor’s Note: The following story is based on a press release issued this week by town officials warning of the increased risk level of West Nile virus.)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has increased the West Nile virus (WNV) risk level to high in Saugus following the announcement of two more human cases of WNV in Massachusetts. A high WNV risk level means more people may get infected with WNV in your area.

The last time WNV-positive mosquito samples were found in Saugus before this year was in August 2017, according to reports. Typically, positive sampling results in an elevated risk level.

Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and Director of Public Health John Fralick are sharing the following update from DPH regarding the elevated WNV risk level in Saugus and eight other communities. The news release reads as follows:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced two additional human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in Massachusetts this year, bringing the total number of human cases to six. One is a man in his 50s who was exposed in Suffolk County; the other is a man in his 80s with exposure in southern Middlesex County.

  As a result, WNV risk levels in the following area communities are being raised to high: Saugus in Essex County; Arlington, Belmont, Malden, Medford, and Melrose in Middlesex County; and Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop in Suffolk County.

  “The risk of West Nile virus in Massachusetts will continue until the first hard frost. While the temperatures may be a bit cooler, September is still within the peak time for West Nile virus activity in Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “As we all adjust to our post-summer schedules, one routine that everyone should continue is using mosquito repellent when outdoors.”

  There have been 286 WNV-positive mosquito samples so far this year detected from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. The risk of human infection with WNV is moderate or high in Greater Boston (Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties) and is also elevated in parts of Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Plymouth, and Worcester counties.

  WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were six human cases of WNV and no animal cases in 2023. No animal cases of WNV have been detected so far this year.

What you can do to prevent WNV infection:

1. Be prepared: Know your risk – check the Massachusetts Arbovirus Update Page regularly, repair screens, clean up to get rid of mosquito breeding sites, be aware of stagnant water on private property (e.g., unused swimming pools) and consult the local board of health.
2. Wear long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn when weather permits.
3. Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens.
4. Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially between dusk and dawn.
5. Dump standing water twice weekly.
6. People over 50 or those who are immune compromised should adjust outdoor activity to avoid peak mosquito hours (from dusk to dawn).

This summer the DPH Public Health Laboratory has confirmed WNV was detected in a bird-biting mosquito in Saugus on July 29; DPH notified the town of a mammal-biting mosquito collected from a Saugus sample that came back positive for WNV on Aug. 5; and the town received word from DPH of a bird-biting mosquito that tested positive for WNV in Saugus on Aug. 26.

What you should do to protect yourself:

The Town encourages all residents to follow this advice from DPH:

  Avoid mosquito bites

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 repellent.

Mosquito-proof your home

1. 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.
2. Install or repair screens – some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitting screens on all your windows and doors.

Protect your animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers, such as buckets, tires and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health, by calling 617-626-1795 and to DPH by calling 617-983-6800.

The Saugus Board of Health will continue to work closely with DPH through the remainder of peak Arborvirus season. In addition, the Town of Saugus has partnered with the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control program in efforts to cull the acute populations of mosquitoes on a weekly basis in the Saugus area.

Each week between Sunday and Wednesday at noon, residents can go to the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control website – https://www.nemassmosquito.org/home/pages/spray-service-request-form – to request the application of ultra-low-volume (ULV) insecticide to the front of their properties to reduce adult flying mosquito populations. Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control prefers residents to request this insecticide service online. If you are having trouble with the online submission, you may call Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control’s request line at 978-352-2811. Residents requesting a treatment must call the office by Wednesdays at noon to be added to the current week’s spraying list. Calls can be made during office hours from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or be left on the agency’s automated voice message service. Please leave your name, full street address, town and phone number.

“Adulticiding” is the application of an insecticide to reduce adult flying mosquito populations. The treatment is done by the means of a white pick-up truck with a ULV aerosol generator mounted in the bed. Pesticide applicators are equipped with an array of technical data that aids them in their application, which includes GIS mapping and a current list of the “Pesticide Exceptions” registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Residential ULV Adulticide requests are handled on a weekly basis; residents can call the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control office between Monday and Wednesday; cut off time is at noon on Wednesday for that week’s treatment. Residential ULV Adulticiding takes place on Thursday nights, beginning 30 minutes after sunset.

For any questions about WNV call the Saugus Board of Health at 781-231-4117.