West Nile Detected In Marlborough, Area Sprayed

MARLBOROUGH, MA—The Massachusetts Department of Public Health informed City of

Marlborough officials today on Wednesday that West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in
Marlborough and that the risk level has been raised to moderate. No humans have tested positive
for the virus.

The Marlborough Public Health Department coordinated with the Central Massachusetts
Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) to spray a designated area of concern on Wednesday,
Aug. 15 after sunset, up until midnight.

West Nile is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. While West Nile can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.

CMMCP provides education about mosquito biology and personal protection, mosquito surveillance, ditch maintenance, research, tire recycling, beaver control, water mitigation and mosquito spraying. CMMCP staff evaluates locations for trapping and testing in addition to working with the City on mitigating mosquito breeding areas in catch basins.

The public is urged to practice the Five D’s of prevention:

• Avoid being outdoors during DAWN and DUSK, when mosquitoes are most active;
• DRESS in long-sleeved clothing;
• use insect repellent with DEET;
• DRAIN any standing water from around your home.
Tips for Avoiding 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. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.
• 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-mtoluamide), 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 percent 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-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 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.
• All property should be maintained to prohibit the formation of stagnant pools of water,
which may affect adversely the public health by attracting and harboring mosquitoes and
other insects. Properties with these conditions can be reported to the Marlborough Public
Health Department at 507-460-3751.
• Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by
having tightly-fitting screens on all windows and doors.

Additional information about West Nile Virus and reports of activity in Massachusetts can be
found on the MDPH website at http://www.mass.gov/mosquito-b...