West Nile virus risk immediately high in Boston, other Mass. communities

Several communities in the Boston area, including Boston itself, and other Massachusetts towns are at a high risk for West Nile virus after mosquitoes were found carrying the disease, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) said Tuesday.

The risk level was elevated for Acton, Bedford, Billerica, Boston, Brookline, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Lowell and Newton, DPH said in a statement.

Since the first West Nile virus detection on June 17, there have been 168 West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples found in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties.

“[West Nile virus] findings in mosquitoes have accelerated rapidly over the last several weeks,” State Epidemiologist Catherine M. Brown said in the DPH statement. “We are immediately in the peak time for transmission of mosquito-borne disease to people and it is important for people to know that so they can take steps to protect themselves.”

So far, the only confirmed case of West Nile virus was in a goat in Lunenberg. There have been no human cases so far this year, DPH stated.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has also been detected in mosquitoes, with the risk currently being moderate for Belchertown, Granby, Pelham and Ware. Another moderate risk area is in 12 communities between Plymouth and Bristol counties, an area historic for EEE activity. Those communities are Bridgewater, Carver, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanson, Lakeville, Middleborough, Plympton, Raynham, Taunton and West Bridgewater.

“Both West Nile virus and EEE pose risk to the people in Massachusetts,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in the DPH statement. “The weather remains warm and somewhat humid, which increases mosquito activity. I encourage everyone to take measures to protect themselves: use mosquito repellent when outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants, and be aware of peak mosquito hours.”

How to avoid mosquito bites

The department suggests that people use insect repellent when outside. The repellent should be made with an EPA-registered ingredient such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or oil from lemon eucalyptus.

DEET products should not be used on babies younger than two months old and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older kids. Oil of lemon eucalyptus shouldn’t be used on kids under three.

The department also suggested that people reschedule any outdoor activities during peak mosquito-biting times — dusk to dawn.

People should also wear long-sleeved clothes to prevent mosquito bites. They should also remove standing water from their homes and install window screens to keep mosquitos out of their homes.