State Health Officials Raise West Nile Risk Level in Most of Greater New Bedford

Extra Precautions Urged for Residents Over 50 or Immune Compromised; County’s Seasonal Ground-Spraying Program Extended One Week

NEW BEDFORD – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has notified regional health officials that the risk level is now “high” for West Nile virus in New Bedford, Acushnet, and Dartmouth, urging extra precautions for at-risk groups.

Accordingly, City and state health officials urge people who are older than 50 or immune-compromised to limit outdoor activity during peak mosquito hours, from dusk to dawn.

Recommended preventative measures also include emptying standing water around homes, using approved insect repellents, and wearing appropriate clothing when outdoors, particularly from dusk to dawn.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project is extending the seasonal ground-spraying program from Sept. 12 to Sept. 19. The final ground-spraying of the season on Sept. 19 will target public parks. Residents will not be able to submit requests for next week’s spraying. In the case of inclement weather, the spraying will occur in the early morning of Friday, Sept. 20.

West Nile is a mosquito-carried virus. While 80 percent of infected people have no symptoms, illness can range from a mild fever to a more serious disease. It is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The New Bedford Health Department recommends these precautionary measures to help protect yourself from mosquito bites:

  • Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours: While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.
  • Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Apply Insect Repellent When You Go Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET (N, N- diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 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 of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
  • 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 getting rid of 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: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tight-fitting screens on all windows and doors.

For more information and the state’s risk-level map, visit: http://www.mass.gov/info-details/Massachusetts-arbovirus-update