The state regularly collects and tests mosquitoes for West Nile Virus, and recently told the town that one from the northwest part of town tested positive. They do not increase the threat level for one mosquito, I am told.
See the town website for the information. ==> this morning I have added that information from the town website below –
Town of Medfield ~ Board of Health
459 Main Street, Medfield, MA
508 ! 906-3006
West Nile Vil’lls Confil’me(1 in Mosquitoes in Medfield
DATE: August 13,2013
TOWN: Medfield
CONTACT: Nancy Bennotti
TELEPHONE: 508·906·3006
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosqnitoes collected from Medfield, Massachusetts, 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
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hom·s· 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 at any time 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. 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.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N·diethyl·m·toluamide), pel’methrin, pical’idin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil oflemon 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.
Mosquito·Pl’oof 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 01′ Repair Screens· Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly·fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
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.
WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV)?
West Nile virus is a mosquito-carried virus that usually causes mild or no illness in humans. In rare cases, WNV can cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain) or meningitis (swelling of the lining of the brain and spinal.cord).
IS WNV IN MASSACHUSETTS?
Yes. WNV has been found in Massachusetts in birds, mosquitoes, horses and humans.
HOW IS WNV SPREAD?
WNV is most common’ly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. It may also be spread through blood transfusions or organ transplants. There are reports that WNV may be passed from pregnant or breastfeeding women to their babies. However, the risk to an unborn or breastfeeding baby is still unknown.
SHOULD I REPORT DEAD BIRDS?
No. Tracking and testing dead birds for WNV is no longer a useful way to find the virus. Mosquito collection and testing gives the most reliable indication of current WNV activity and this is where monitoring efforts will continue to be focused. Dead birds can be safely disposed of in the trash. Using gloves, a shovel or plastic bags covering your hands, the dead bird should be doublebagged and placed in the trash. You should then wash your hands.
WHAT IS MY CITY OR TOWN DOING TO CONTROL MOSQUITOES?
Mosquito control activities are conducted during the mosquito season in many communities. Call your local board of health (usually listed in the phone book under ‘government’) for information specific to your area.
I’VE BEEN BITTEN BY A MOSQUITO. SHOULD I BE TESTED FOR WNV?
No. IIInesses caused by mosquito bites are very rare. Very few mosquito bites carry any risk. People who are bitten by mosquitoes carrying the WNV will usually experience no illness or very mild illness. However, you should see a health care provider immediately if you develop symptoms such as:
• high fever • severe headache • confusion
• stiff neck • muscle weakness • sensitivity to light
Patients with mild symptoms usually recover completely and do not require any specific medication or laboratory testing. Less than 1 % of people infected with WNV develop serious illness. People older than 50 years of age have a higher risk of developing severe illness such as encephalitis.
IS THERE TREATMENT OR A VACCINE FOR WNV?
There is no human vaccine or specific treatment for WNV infection, but health care providers can treat the symptoms of WNV. In severe cases, hospitalization may be needed to provide supportive care.
Protect Yourself
Your risk of getting ill from WNV is low, but you can lower your risk even more by trying to avoid mosquito bites. Here are some things you can do to reduce your chances of being bitten by a mosquito.
• Schedule outdoor events t o avoid the hours between dusk and dawn when mosqUltoes are most actIve.
• When you’re outdoors, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and socks.
• Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
>- Products with pelmethrin may be used but should only be applied on clothing. Always follow the directions on the label.
>- DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 months of age. Children older than two months should use DEET concentrations of30% or less.
>- Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
• Make sure window and door screens do not have holes in them.
Remove Standing Water
Mosquitoes grow in standing (stagnant) water. Getting rid of that water helps to lower the number of mosquitoes in your area. Look around outside your house for containers and other things that might collect water and turn them over, regularly empty them, or dispose of them.
Unused flower pots
m Trash cans and lids
Storm gutters
Questions?
Tires Wading pools
Call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Information Line at 1-866-MASS WNV (627-7968) or visit our web site: http://www.mass.gov/dph
PUBLIC HEALTH
FACT SHEET
Mosquito
Rep’ellents
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), 305 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
What is a mosquito repellent?
A mosquito repellent is a substance put on skin, clothing, or other surfaces which discourages mosquitoes from
landing or crawling on that surface. .
Why should I use a mosquito repellent?
Mosquitoes can spread viruses that cause serious diseases. In Massachusetts, the diseases spread by mosquitoes are
West Nile virus (Wl\tV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). Mosquito repellents can reduce your chances of
being bitten by a mosquito and cap reduce the risk that you will get one of these diseases.
When should ,I use a mosquito repellent?
Use a mosquito repellent when you are outside and exposed to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are generally most active
between dusk and dawn, though some types may also be out during the day. Mosquitoes usually start to become
active during early or mid-spring and remain active until the first hard frost (when the ground freezes).
,·································4···················.’.’ ..
j II” Did you know?
i Every year from approximately late May until the first hard frost, mosquito samples are collected from
I various locations around the state and tested for WNV and EEE virus. Visit the MDPH website at ! http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv during the mosquito season to see where positive mosquito samples have
l…………………………….. ………………..•……………..•… ………….. ~.”..”.~:.:~~~d:…………………………………………………………………. ………… .
Which repellent should I use?
Different repellents work against different bugs. It is important to look at the active ingredient on the product label.
Repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethyl·m·toluamide), permethrin, IR3535 (3·[N·butyl·N-acetyl]aminopropionic
acid) or picaridin (KBR 3023) provide protection against mosquitoes. In addition, oil oflemon
eucalyptus [p.menthane 3, 8·diol (PMD)] has been found to provide as much protection as low concentrations of
DEET when tested against mosquitoes found in the United States.
DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 months of age. Children older than two months should use
products with DEET concentrations of30% or less. DEET products are available in formulations up to 100%
DEET, so always read the product label to determine the percentage ofDEET included. Products with DEET
concentrations higher than 30% do not confer much additional protection, but do last longer. In a study that looked
at how long different concentrations of DEET worked against mosquitoes, the results ranged from I Y, to 5 hours.
However, the length of protection time will vary widely depending on temperature, perspiration, and water exposure.
DEET%: 4.75% ..6 .65% 20% 23.8%
Protection time in hours: 2 4 5
Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should
not be applied to skin. Apply the permethrin to your clothes before you put them on and follow the product’s
instructions.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus products should not be used on children under the age of three years.
Always Use Repellents Safely
.:. Follow the instructions given on the product label. If you have questions after reading the label, such
as how many hours does the product work for, or if and how often it should be reapplied, contact the
manufacturer .
• :. Don’t use repellents under clothing .
• :. Don’t use repellents on cuts or irritated skin .
• :. Don’t use repellents near the mouth or eyes and use them sparingly around the ears. When using spray
products, spray the product onto your hands first, and then apply it to your face .
• :. Use just enough product to lightly c’over exposed skin and/or clothing. Putting pn a larger amount does
not make the product work any better .
• :. Don’t let children handle the product. When using repellents on children, put some on your hands first,
and then apply it to the child. Don’t put repellents on a child’s hands .
• :. When you come inside, wash your skin and the clothes that had repellent on them .
• :. If you develop a rash 01′ ,other symptoms you think were caused by using a repellent, stop using
the product, wash the affected area with soap and water, and contact your doctor or local poison control
center. If you go to the doctor, bring the product with you to show him or her.
Do “natural” repellents work?
A number of plant-derived products are available for use as mosquito repellents, including oil of lemon eucalyptus
and IR3535. Limited information is available regarding how well most of these products work and how safe they
are. The information that is available shows that most of these products generally do not provide the same level or
duration of protection as products like DEET or permethrin, except for oil oflemon eucalyptus and IR3535, which
have been found to provide as much protection as low concentrations ofDEET.
I’m concerned about using repellents on my infant. What else can I do to
protect my infant from mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are most active between dusk and dawn, so try to avoid outdoor activities with your infant during these
times. When your infant is outside, use mosquito netting on baby carriages or playpens and consider going indoors
if you notice a lot of mosquito activity.
Where can I get more information?
• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617)
983-6800 or toll-free at (888) 658-2850, or on the MDPH Arbovirus website at http://www.mass.gov/dphlwnv, Or your
local board of health (listed in the telephone directory under local govermnent).
• Health effects of pesticides, MDPH, Center for Environmental Health at 617-624-5757
• Mosquito control in your city or town: Mosquito control in Massachusetts is conducted through nine mosquito
control districts. The State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board (SRMCB) oversees all nine districts.
Contact information for each district can be found online at http://www.mass.gov/agr/mosquito/districts.htm. You may
also contact the SRMCB within the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources at 617-626-1777 or your
local board of health.
• Information on repellents (such as choosing the right repellent, using repellents on children or pregnant women,
or detailed toxicology information), National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) toll free at 1-800-858-7378 or
online at http://npic.orst.edu/index.html
Updated: March 2011
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