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Public Health Advisory

Filed under SOM General Information
Posted by , September 14, 2006
View all posts for September 2006

West Nile Virus Found in Mosquitoes in Riverway Area of Boston
Although summer is almost over, residents are reminded that precautions are still needed.

BOSTON — The Boston Public Health Commission announced today that another pool of mosquitoes in Boston was found to be infected with the West Nile Virus. The mosquitoes were collected from a trap in the Riverway section of Boston on September 7, and sent to the State Laboratory Institute for testing. This is the second pool of mosquitoes to be identified in the city this year. In late August, a pool of West Nile Virus infected mosquitoes was found in the West Roxbury section of the city.

There have been no human cases of West Nile Virus identified in Boston residents this year. Most people bitten by infected mosquitoes experience no illness or mild illness but some people can develop more serious disease.

The risk of becoming infected with West Nile Virus is low, however because mosquitoes can remain active in the environment until the first hard frost of the season (and sometimes longer), health officials are reminding residents to take common sense steps to avoid being bitten.

Residents can follow simple precautions to reduce the chance of being bitten by an infected mosquito. Those steps include:
1. Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET or other EPA approved repellent. As with all pesticides, carefully follow the directions on the container. Use concentrations lower than 10% DEET on children. Do not use DEET on infants.
2. Limit outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active (between dusk and dawn). If outside during that time, wear clothing that covers most of your body.
3. Make sure window and door screens are in good repair. This will help prevent mosquitoes from getting into your home.

More information available:

Boston residents seeking more information on preventing mosquito-borne illnesses can contact the Commission’s Mosquito-borne Illness Information line. The automated phone line, available in both English and Spanish, provides prevention tips, and instructions on what residents can do if they find a dead bird in their neighborhood.

The number for the Mosquito-borne Illness Information line is 617.534.2652. Mosquito-borne Illness prevention information is also available in multiple languages on the BPHC’s web site: www.bphc.org/mbi.