DPH offers mosquito season information and safety tips

With mosquitoes making their summer return, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is reminding residents and municipal officials to remain on guard against mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.

The DPH works with established Mosquito Control Districts to trap and test samples of mosquitoes to help measure and track risk throughout the season. It posts updates online at Massachusetts arbovirus update.

Once West Nile or EEE viruses are found in mosquitoes in Massachusetts, people should start taking steps to avoid mosquito bites.

EEE infections in people don’t happen every year in Massachusetts, though the state did have four cases last year. The identification of EEE cases last year could indicate that there may be more cases this year, the DPH said.

West Nile is more common, and the DPH expects human infections every year. Last year saw 19 West Nile cases in Massachusetts.

Only a small number of mosquitoes are infected at any given time, so being bitten by a mosquito doesn’t mean someone will get sick. The best way to avoid these illnesses, however, is to prevent mosquito bites by doing the following:
• Use insect repellents with an EPA-approved active ingredient while outdoors
• Wear long-sleeved clothing as weather permits
• Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours from dusk to dawn during peak mosquito season
• Repair damaged window and door screens
• Remove standing water from the areas around your home

For more information, visit the DPH’s Mosquito-borne Diseases page, which is updated with new results, or call the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

• Visit DPH’s web page with FAQs about mosquitoes in Massachusetts