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- Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in New Bedford
Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in New Bedford
- By Elizabeth Treadup (Mayor's Office)
- Published 09/4/2008
- Announcements & Press Releases
New Bedford, Massachusetts- The New Bedford Board of Health has reported that one of several mosquito samples collected in New Bedford on August 28, 2008 has tested positive for West Nile Virus. The sample was collected in the vicinity of the Oak Grove Cemetery (Parker Street neighborhood) and included Culex pipiens/restuans complex mosquitoes.
The Culex pipiens mosquitoes are the most common house pest mosquitoes found in urban and suburban areas, and most frequently become infected with West Nile Virus by biting infected birds. These mosquitoes can then transmit the virus to humans.
The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will be making a local truck-based spray pesticide application on Thursday, September 4th at between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. An area described by health officials as a four-block radius of Oak Grove Cemetery will be treated. The spraying will avoid schools, daycares and any no-spray areas located within the planned spray zone. Health Director Marianne DeSouza urged residents to “continue to take steps to prevent mosquito bites despite the dipping evening temperatures.” Routine spraying will be conducted in other areas of the city with relatively high mosquito activity as is customary during mosquito season.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that in most cases, individuals do not experience any symptoms from the West Nile virus. Mild infections may cause fever, headache and body aches and can be accompanied by a skin rash or swollen lymph glands. DPH states that a more severe infection may cause headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, and paralysis and in a small percentage of people, it can be fatal with the risk of developing a severe illness occurring in those over the age of 50.
It is important to remember that in normal circumstances, only a small portion of the mosquito population is infected at any given period of time and being bitten by a mosquito does not mean a person will become infected or ill. The best protection is prevention.
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.
• 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 outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 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.
• Parents of school age children participating in any kind of outdoor activities are urged to take necessary precautions as noted to prevent insect bites.
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 discarding 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. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
Visit the New Bedford website at www.newbedford-ma.gov/health for more information on mosquitoes and West Nile Virus as well as other health related facts.
The Culex pipiens mosquitoes are the most common house pest mosquitoes found in urban and suburban areas, and most frequently become infected with West Nile Virus by biting infected birds. These mosquitoes can then transmit the virus to humans.
The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will be making a local truck-based spray pesticide application on Thursday, September 4th at between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. An area described by health officials as a four-block radius of Oak Grove Cemetery will be treated. The spraying will avoid schools, daycares and any no-spray areas located within the planned spray zone. Health Director Marianne DeSouza urged residents to “continue to take steps to prevent mosquito bites despite the dipping evening temperatures.” Routine spraying will be conducted in other areas of the city with relatively high mosquito activity as is customary during mosquito season.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that in most cases, individuals do not experience any symptoms from the West Nile virus. Mild infections may cause fever, headache and body aches and can be accompanied by a skin rash or swollen lymph glands. DPH states that a more severe infection may cause headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, and paralysis and in a small percentage of people, it can be fatal with the risk of developing a severe illness occurring in those over the age of 50.
It is important to remember that in normal circumstances, only a small portion of the mosquito population is infected at any given period of time and being bitten by a mosquito does not mean a person will become infected or ill. The best protection is prevention.
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.
• 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 outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 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.
• Parents of school age children participating in any kind of outdoor activities are urged to take necessary precautions as noted to prevent insect bites.
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 discarding 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. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
Visit the New Bedford website at www.newbedford-ma.gov/health for more information on mosquitoes and West Nile Virus as well as other health related facts.
