Public health officials warned Friday that eight Massachusetts communities are now at high risk for West Nile virus.According to the Department of Public Health, this elevated risk level applies to Boston in Suffolk County and Abington, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and Whitman in Plymouth County.The risk is considered moderate throughout Bristol, Norfolk, and the rest of Plymouth County and in parts of Barnstable, Berkshire, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Worcester counties, DPH said. The virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. “The risk from (West Nile virus) is pretty widespread this year,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. “In addition to recommending that people use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient and clothing to reduce exposed skin, check your window screens to be sure they don’t have holes and empty any containers that accumulate water around your yard.”There were six human cases of West Nile virus in 2023, MassDPH said. There have been two human and no animal cases confirmed this year so far.The first reported human case of 2024 was in Hampden County on Aug. 6 and the second was reported in Middlesex County on Aug. 12. To date, a total of 262 virus-positive mosquito samples have been detected from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. The first positive samples were announced on July 2. While most people do not get severely ill from the virus, health officials say it can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and those who have received organ transplants.Mosquito safety tips from MassDPH:Avoid Mosquito BitesApply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-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 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.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 in areas of high risk.Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.Mosquito-Proof Your HomeDrain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all windows and doors.Protect Your AnimalsAnimal 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 West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.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 the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.
Public health officials warned Friday that eight Massachusetts communities are now at high risk for West Nile virus.
According to the Department of Public Health, this elevated risk level applies to Boston in Suffolk County and Abington, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and Whitman in Plymouth County.
The risk is considered moderate throughout Bristol, Norfolk, and the rest of Plymouth County and in parts of Barnstable, Berkshire, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Worcester counties, DPH said.
The virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
“The risk from (West Nile virus) is pretty widespread this year,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. “In addition to recommending that people use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient and clothing to reduce exposed skin, check your window screens to be sure they don’t have holes and empty any containers that accumulate water around your yard.”
There were six human cases of West Nile virus in 2023, MassDPH said. There have been two human and no animal cases confirmed this year so far.
The first reported human case of 2024 was in Hampden County on Aug. 6 and the second was reported in Middlesex County on Aug. 12.
To date, a total of 262 virus-positive mosquito samples have been detected from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. The first positive samples were announced on July 2.
While most people do not get severely ill from the virus, health officials say it can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and those who have received organ transplants.
Mosquito safety tips from MassDPH:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-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 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
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 in areas of high risk.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
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 draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all 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 West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.
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 the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.
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