Massachusetts health officials on Friday reported two more cases of West Nile virus, bringing the total number of cases this year to 15. Both of the new cases are women, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced in a statement. One person is in his 60s and was likely infected in Middlesex County. The other person is in his 70s and likely contracted the virus outside the state. So far this year, health officials say Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hamden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties had six human cases of the virus last year. “While the risk from WNV decreases throughout the fall months, some of the risk from WNV will persist until the first hard frost,” officials wrote in a statement. . Link: DPH Mosquito-Borne Virus Risk Map Mosquito Safety Tips from MassDPH: Avoid Mosquito Bites Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Using repellents containing EPA-registered ingredients such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), and lemon eucalyptus oil (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD)) ) or IR3535) Follow the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 months of age. It should also be used at a concentration of 30% or less in older children. Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used on children under 3 years of age. Be aware of peak mosquito times. The hours from dusk to dawn are the hours when most mosquitoes bite. In high-risk areas, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur in the evening or early morning. Clothing can help protect you from mosquito bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors can help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. Keep your home mosquito-proof. Drain any standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of breeding sites for mosquitoes around your home by draining water or disposing of items containing water. Check your gutters and drains. Empty unused flower pots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently. Install or repair the screen door. Make sure all windows and doors are well screened to keep mosquitoes out. Animal owners should remove standing water from containers such as buckets, tires and wading pools, especially after heavy rains, to reduce potential mosquito breeding areas on their property. there is. Water troughs provide the perfect environment for mosquito breeding and should be flushed at least once a week during the summer to reduce mosquito numbers near the paddock. Horse owners should keep their horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce the risk of mosquito exposure. Owners should also talk to their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use on animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis. If an animal is suspected of being infected with WNV or EEE, owners should report it to the Department of Agricultural Resources. Call the Animal Health Division at 617-626-1795 or the Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800.
Massachusetts health officials on Friday reported two more cases of West Nile virus, bringing the total number of cases this year to 15.
Both new patients are women, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a statement. One person is in his 60s and was likely infected in Middlesex County. The other person is in his 70s and likely contracted the virus outside the state.
So far this year, health officials have reported cases of West Nile virus across Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties. 333 positive mosquito samples were collected.
Last year, there were six people infected with the virus.
“While the risk from WNV decreases throughout the fall months, some risk from WNV will persist until the first hard frost,” officials said in a statement.
Mosquito safety tips from MassDPH:
avoid mosquito bites
Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Using repellents containing EPA-registered ingredients such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), and lemon eucalyptus oil (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD)) ) or IR3535) Follow the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 months of age. It should also be used at a concentration of 30% or less in older children. Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used on children under 3 years of age.
Be aware of peak mosquito times. The period from dusk to dawn is when many mosquitoes are most likely to bite. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur in the evening or early morning in high-risk areas.
Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors can help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Make your home mosquito-proof
Drain any accumulated water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of breeding sites for mosquitoes around your home by draining or discarding items that collect water. Check your gutters and drains. Empty unused flower pots and water play areas, and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
Installing or repairing screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by installing tight-fitting screens on all windows and doors.
Let’s protect animals
Animal owners should remove standing water from containers such as buckets, tires and wading pools, especially after heavy rains, to reduce potential mosquito breeding areas on their property. Water troughs provide the perfect environment for mosquito breeding and should be flushed at least once a week during the summer to reduce mosquito numbers near the paddock. Horse owners should keep their horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce the risk of mosquito exposure. Owners should also talk to their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use on animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.
If an animal is suspected of being infected with WNV or EEE, owners should report it to the Department of Agriculture and Resources Animal Health Division by calling 617-626-1795 or to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800. There is a need.
