West Nile Virus Found in Tewksbury

The Massachusetts Department of Health announced Thursday West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos collected in the northeast quadrant of Tewksbury. 

The Tewksbury Board of Health is working locally with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project by requesting mosquito spraying in the neighborhood associated with the positive mosquito.

CMMCP will be spraying these neighborhoods using trucks mounted with sprayers within the next week depending on weather conditions, according to a release from the Board of Health.

CMMCP also treats Tewksbury’s storm drains with larvicide, provides education materials and other associated activities, according to the release.

West Nile is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the release.

The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state, and are found in urban as well as more rural areas, according to the release.

The Tewksbury Board of Health is offering 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.