Community Corner
West Nile Virus Confirmed in Tewksbury, Spraying Planned For Thursday
The area surrounding Pennacook Road will be sprayed on Thursday, Sept. 5.
West Nile Virus has been confirmed in mosquitos in the area of Pennacook Road in Tewksbury on Wednesday, according to the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project.
Mosquitos caught in a surveillance trap set on Pennacook Road on Aug. 30 were confirmed to be carrying West Nile Virus on Sept. 4, according to CMMCP.
In conjunction with the Tewksbury Board of Health, spraying in the vicinity of Pennacook Road will take place on Thursday, Sept. 5
The following roads are expected to be sprayed, according to CMMCP:
Ames Hill Drive
Leighton Lane
Bligh Street
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Livingston Street
Bonnie Lane
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Louis Road
Brentwood Road
Lynnes Way
Captain Circle
Magna Vista Circle
Cardigan Road
Marion Drive
Catamount Road
Meredith Road
Cayuga Road
North Street
Dike Ct
Northgate Road
Dunvegan Road
Overlook Drive
Eastgate Road
Pennacook Road
Germano Drive
Pinnacle Street
Greylock Road
Prospect Hill Drive
Heather Row
Roper Lane
Judique Road
Sheffield Road
Kendall Road
Westland Drive
Lancaster Drive
William G Drive
According to CMMCP, catch basins were treated in the area on Aug. 7 to stop the emergence of mosquito species that can carry West Nile Virus, and "additional surveillance traps have been set up to gauge population density and determine if additional virus can be isolated."
West Nile Virus was also detected in mosquitos in the northeast quadrant of Tewksbury on Aug. 8.
While spraying can slow the emergence of mosquitos carrying West Nile Virus, it is still important for residents to take precautions against mosquito bites, according to CMMCP.
The Tewksbury Board of Health offers the following tips to avoid mosquito bites:
West Nile Virus was also detected in mosquitos in the northeast quadrant of Tewksbury on Aug. 8.
While spraying can slow the emergence of mosquitos carrying West Nile Virus, it is still important for residents to take precautions against mosquito bites, according to CMMCP.
The Tewksbury Board of Health offers the following tips to avoid mosquito bites:
- 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 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.
- Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing longsleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
- Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent according to manufacturers instructions that contains DEET(N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)]. 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 three 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.
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