Public reminded to take simple precautions against mosquitoes

Additional mosquito pools in Boston have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Tests performed on August 15th confirmed a WNV-positive mosquito pool in Roxbury for the first time this season. Mosquito pools in East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain and Roslindale tested positive for WNV earlier in the summer. The WNV alert level remains at moderate. There have been no recorded human cases of mosquito-borne illnesses in Boston this year.

The Boston Public Health Commission encourages people to take simple precautions to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. These steps include using insect repellent when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are more likely to be biting and, when possible, wearing long sleeves and pants. People should also mosquito-proof their home by making sure that their window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from getting into the house.

To prevent mosquitoes from breeding, the Boston Public Health Commission advises people to turn over unused flower pots, buckets, wheelbarrows, and garbage cans; remove leaves and other debris that can clog gutters and trap water; dispose of or cover old tires; and cover swimming pools when not in use.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus, but it poses very low risk to most people. The risk can be further reduced by following simple safety measures.

The City of Boston, in partnership with the Suffolk County Mosquito Control Project has placed larvicide in catch basins and wetlands throughout Boston, a process designed to reduce the mosquito population. The agency also conducts targeted, truck-mounted aerosol spraying in certain areas of the city for the same purpose.

Please see the fact sheet below to help protect yourself and family from WNV:

How can I help prevent WNV?

Follow these steps to help prevent mosquito bites:

Use a mosquito repellent. Repellents approved by the EPA include those containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, Picaridin or IR3535. Read the directions on the product label to find out about precautions that need to be taken and how long the product is effective. After returning indoors, wash off repellent with soap and water and wash treated clothes before wearing again. Do not use these products on pets unless the label approves.

If you use a product containing DEET, do not use concentrations of more than 30% on adults and use low concentrations of DEET on children. Apply DEET to exposed skin (not eyes or mouth) and on clothes, but do not use on open cuts or wounds. Do not apply underneath clothes.

Do not let children apply repellants to themselves. Apply the repellant to your hands and rub it on your child. Do not apply repellants to children's eye, mouth, or hands and use cautiously around ears. Do not apply DEET on infants (mosquito netting can be used over infant carriers) or oil of lemon eucalyptus to children under 3 years of age.

Wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts, long pants and socks whenever possible. Tuck your shirt into your pants to keep mosquitoes from going under your clothes.

Although mosquitoes can bite at any time of day, try to limit time outdoors between dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Make sure window and door screens don't have holes in them. Screens in good condition will help prevent mosquitoes from getting inside your house.

Follow these steps to help prevent mosquito breeding:

Mosquitoes need water to breed. They can develop into adults in as little as a week. Make sure items around your home don't collect water. Items that do collect water should be cleaned once a week.

Containers: Turn over or cover unused flower pots, buckets, garbage cans, and wheelbarrows. Change water in birdbaths once a week.

Gutters: Remove leaves and other debris that can clog gutters and trap water.

Pools: Cover unused swimming pools and turn over kiddie pools when not in use. Be sure to keep swimming pool covers clear of leaves and water. Keep large pools treated and circulating.

Old Tires: Cover or dispose of them. They are a favorite mosquito-breeding site.?