Hadley wary of West Nile virus

Hadley, Massachusetts (WWLP) – A mosquito found in Hadley tested positive for West Nile virus and issued a high warning to the town on Thursday.

According to the town of Hadley, the mosquito was caught in the southeastern part of Hadley on August 5, and tested positive for West Nile virus. Being vigilant against West Nile virus means that people over the age of 50 and those with weakened immunity need to coordinate their outdoor activities to avoid peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn. Means.

The town of Hadley has given the following tips to protect yourself.

• Wear protective clothing outdoors: long trousers and long sleeves
• Avoid being near standing water
• Use insect repellent as needed
• Avoid being outdoors from dusk to dawn
• If you get sick, ask your healthcare provider for an evaluation

What is West Nile Virus?

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause diseases ranging from mild fever to more serious illnesses such as encephalitis and meningitis. It was first confirmed in the United States in 1999.

How will WNV spread?

WNV is most commonly transmitted by being bitten by an infected mosquito. For more information on the different types of mosquitoes that can infect WNV, please visit the MDPH website. www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito..

WNV can also be spread by blood transfusions and organ transplants. In addition, there are rare reports of WNV infection in babies from pregnant or lactating women who are infected with WNV. Because these reports are rare, their health effects on the fetal or lactating babies are unknown and are still being studied.

Direct contact with other infected people, birds and animals will not cause infection.

Why don’t you need to report dead birds anymore?

From 2000 to 2008, MDPH collected and tested reports on WNV of dead birds in Massachusetts as one of several ways to monitor WNV activity across the state. In recent years, this method has become less useful in finding viruses. Many other states have stopped reporting and testing dead birds. Mosquito collection and testing provide the most reliable indicator of current WNV activity, which is where surveillance activities continue to be the focus.

Dead birds are no longer tested for WNV and do not need to be reported to MDPH. Dead birds can be safely dumped in the trash. You should double-bag the dead bird and put it in the trash can, using gloves, a shovel, or a plastic bag that covers your hands. Then you need to wash your hands.

What are the symptoms of WNV?

The majority of people infected with WNV (about 80%) are asymptomatic.

A small number of infected people (about 20%) present with symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph nodes. You may also have a skin rash on your chest, stomach, and back.

Less than 1% of people infected with WNV develop serious illnesses such as encephalitis and meningitis. Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, headache, stupor, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, weakness, loss of vision, numbness, and paralysis. People over the age of 50 are at increased risk of developing severe illness.

How common is WNV in Massachusetts?

Most people infected with WNV are asymptomatic, so it is difficult to know exactly how many people have been infected. People who develop severe illness with WNV are most often reported. Between 2011 and 2020, 148 people were reported infected with WNV in Massachusetts. Seven of these people have died. Cases have been confirmed from around the state.

What can you do to protect yourself from WNV?

Since WNV is most commonly spread by mosquitoes, there are several things you can do to reduce your chances of being bitten.

• Schedule outdoor events to avoid the time between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, and socks when you are outdoors. It can be difficult in hot weather, but it helps keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
• And use repellents DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), Permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535(3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-Amino propionic acid) or Lemon eucalyptus oil [p-menthane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] Follow the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on babies under 2 months of age. It should also be used in concentrations of 30% or less for older children. Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used by children under the age of three. Permethrin products are intended for use in items such as clothing, shoes, mosquito nets, camping equipment, and should not be used on the skin.
• Keep mosquitoes away from your home by repairing holes in the screen and making sure they are securely attached to all doors and windows.
• Remove the standing water area around your home. Here are some suggestions:
  • Look out of the house for containers and other things that could collect water and turn it over, empty it regularly, or dispose of it.
  • Drill a hole in the bottom of a recycling container that has been left outdoors to allow water to drain.
  • Clean the clogged roof gutters. Removes leaves and debris that can interfere with the drainage of rainwater.
  • When not in use, turn the plastic water pool and wheelbarrow over.
  • Change the water in the bird bath every few days. Aerate the ornamental pond or store fish.
  • Keep your swimming pool clean and chlorinated properly. Remove the accumulated water from the pool cover.
  • Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects in your property.
• More information on the safe selection and use of repellents can be found in the MDPH Mosquito Repellent Fact Sheet, which is available online. www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.. If you cannot go online, please contact MDPH ((617) 983-6800) to get a hard copy.