Spraying In Milford After West Nile Detected

MILFORD, MA—Since mosquitoes with West Nile Virus were confirmed in a multitude of communities around Central Massachusetts, Milford is also taking precautions.

Mosquitoes with the West Nile Virus were confirmed in the Beach Street Extension area of town. The virus was also detected in an animal in the Silver Hill Road section of town.

Working with the Milford Board of Health, CMMCP is spraying in these areas below on Thursday, Aug. 30. Catch basins will be treated in these areas to stop emergence of mosquito species that can carry WNV, and additional surveillance traps have been set up to gauge population density and determine if additional virus can be isolated.

Area one:

Area two:

The Milford Board of Health is encouraging residents to:

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. 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-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 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.

· 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.

Information about WNV and reports of WNV activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website athttp://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv. Recorded information about WNV is also available by calling the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968).

This alert was sent by the RAVE Alert Emergency Notification to residents where spraying will take place

West Nile Virus has been identified in mosquitoes in a routine test site collected by the Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project in the Beach Street Ext area and also detected in an animal in the Silver Hill Road area of town. Area spraying has been scheduled in these areas for Thursday, August 30 beginning after sunset and ending by midnight. See listed streets and maps.

All spraying is done with truck mounted sprayers by the Central Mass Mosquito Control Project. Residents are asked to go inside and shut street facing windows for about 20 minutes if they see the spray truck approaching.

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