Town Administrator James McGrail and Public Health Director Lori Desmarais report that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced today that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Marion.
The current WNV risk level for Marion is low.
Mosquitoes are most prevalent from May to August, but remain active until the first time temperatures fall below freezing. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While the virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk for severe infection.
The Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project will be spraying the streets in Marion center on Wednesday, September 7. Applications are made via an ultra-low volume sprayer that is on the back of a pickup truck. Typically, spraying is done from the street and can travel up to 300 feet. Weather permitting; the sprayers operate from 2 am until 30 minutes before sunrise on weekdays. Residents can call or go to their website for more information as well. 781-585-5450 www.plymouthmosquito.org.
Plymouth County Mosquito Control is currently accepting adult spray requests. Call (781-585-5450 and press 1), Fax (781-582-1276), mail or stop by in person at 272 South Meadow Road, Plymouth. The last day for spray requests will be on September 9. Spraying will take place Monday-Friday weather permitting.
Standing water checks may be requested throughout the summer.
Additionally, the Town of Marion recommends the following precautionary measures:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 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 3 years old. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
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 the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
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 discarding 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. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
There has been one human case of WNV in the state this year in Suffolk County and no cases in an animal. Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV activity in Massachusetts can be found on the following websites: www.mass.gov/service-details/west-nile-virus-wnv and www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update.