West Nile virus strikes AMs: first test-positive health workers

BOSTON, MA – It is summer, and with the summer come mosquitoes. West Nile virus has been detected in Massachusetts mosquitoes for the first time this year, health officials said Tuesday. The presence of the virus was confirmed by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in a sample of mosquitoes that was collected June 20 in the town of Weymouth in Norfolk County.

No human or animal cases of West Nile virus or Eastern equine encephalitis have been detected so far this year, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. There is no high level of risk or change in the level of risk associated with this finding, but public servants want the public to remember how to avoid biting themselves.

"The first sample of WNV positive mosquitoes is often identified in Massachusetts during the last week of June," said Catherine Brown, an associate epidemiologist at DPH. "The risk of human infection usually develops during the season with maximum risk in August."

West Nile virus is usually passed on to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, according to health officials. In 2017, there were six human cases of infection in Massachusetts. Although it can infect people of any age, people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, the symptoms tend to include fever and influenza-like illness, according to health officials. In rare cases, a more serious illness may occur.

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones against diseases caused by mosquitoes, Brown said in a statement.

"Prevention tools include the use of a mosquito repellent product with an EPA-approved ingredient according to the instructions on the label, clothing to reduce exposed skin when the weather allows it, stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito repair. your house, "she said.

Because the symptoms are not always so pronounced, people who develop a serious illness with West Nile virus are often reported. Between 2000 and 2010, 67 people were infected with West Nile virus in Massachusetts. Six of these people are dead.

According to the State Department of Health only 10 percent of people who develop a serious illness have died of infection.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus infections. People with mild West Nile virus infections are recovering themselves, health officials say. People with severe West Nile virus infections almost always have to be hospitalized.

Avoid bites! Follow these steps:

Be aware of the increased activity of mosquitoes on the outside between dusk and dawn. If you must be
On the outside, when mosquitoes are active, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and socks. Cover baby
cars or parks that are outside with mosquito nets.

When outside, use a mosquito repellent. Repellents containing DEET are the most effective,
although DEET should not be used on infants. The CDC also recommends products that contain
either the chemical Picaridine, found in Advanced Cutter; or products containing lemon oil
eucalyptus. Alternatives to DEET that can also be effective for a limited time (1 hour)
market are: lemongrass; Avon Skin-So-Soft Plus; Buzz Away, neem oil, and soybean oil. If you need
To help choose a repellent, a useful repellent selection tool is available here.

Avoid areas that tend to contain a lot of mosquitoes, such as swamps or swampy areas or where there may be stagnant water.

• Fix holes in all window and door screens;
• Remove stagnant or stagnant water in your yard where mosquitoes are likely to reproduce. Check your
• flowerpots, wheelbarrows, garbage cans, bird baths, pool covers, clogged gutters on your house, old tires, etc .;

• Repair leaking pipes and outside faucets;
• Keep your cut grass short and the bushes near your home pruned so that mosquitoes can not hide;
• Call the health department if you see stagnant water problems that are not on your property.

Did you know?

Mosquitoes can start to multiply in a puddle of water or stagnant water that lasts more than four days. The mosquito breeding sites can be anywhere. Take steps to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your home and neighborhood. Organize a neighborhood clean-up day to pick up containers from vacant lots and parks and encourage people to keep their yards without stagnant water. Mosquitoes do not care about fences, so it is important to remove stagnant water areas throughout the neighborhood.

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