Positive Result of West Nile Virus in Mosquitoes Confirmed in Boxford, MA

 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the Boxford Board of Health that a pool of collected mosquitoes from Boxford tested positive for West Nile Virus.

 

The positive mosquitoes were identified from collection traps placed at the northeast quadrant of town. 

 

The Boxford Board of Health urges residents to continue taking precautions, including using insect repellant (according to manufacturers' recommendations), covering exposed skin, and avoiding being outdoors at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are most active.

 

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. 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), 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 the skin.

 

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 or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

 

The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District (NEMMC) oversees the weekly collection of mosquitos for testing. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) tests collected “pools” for the two most common mosquito borne arboviruses, West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).  MA DPH provides information on positive test results, regions of increased disease risk, and other up-to-date information through its website, www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update.

 

Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/service-details/west-nile-virus-wnv

 

NEMMC will be adding additional collections in Boxford for testing due to the positive test results.  The Boxford Health Department will continue to work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and NEMMC and we will keep any updates on the Board of Health Website www.town.boxford.ma.us/health-department