TOWN OF TEWKSBURY BOARD OF HEALTH @ THE SENIOR CENTER 175 CHANDLER STREET TEWKSBURY, MASSACHUSETTS 01876 Lou-Ann C. Clement, C.H.O. (978) 640-4470 Fax: (978) 640-4472 West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes from Tewksbury DATE: August 07, 2013 CONTACT: Lou-Ann C. Clement, Health Director TOWN: Tewksbury TELEPHONE: 978-640-4470 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes col ected from the Northeast Quadrant of Tewksbury, MA. In 2012, Tewksbury
received 3 positive samples for West Nile Virus.
WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this
virus are common throughout the state, and are found in urban as wel as more rural areas. While WNV can infect
people of al ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
By taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:
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,
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 wil help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repel ent according to manufactures 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.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home Drain Standing Water – Many 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; to
Instal or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting
screens on al of your windows and doors.
While Tewksbury continues to work closely with the MDPH, local y we are working with Central Massachusetts Mosquito
Control Project by requesting the spraying in the neighborhood associated with the positive mosquito. CMMCP should be
spraying these neighborhoods within the next week depending on weather conditions. CMMCP already sprays
neighborhoods as requested using truck mounted sprayers. This is the same type of spraying that has been done in town for
many years under resident’s request. Residents can obtain more information or checkfor a map of the
spray area, or cal 508-393-3055 the afternoon of the scheduled date. Additional y, CMMCP also treats Tewksbury’s storm
drains with larvicide, provides education materials and other associated activities. Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the
Board of Health Hours: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Director’s Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Sanitarian Office Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM and 3:00 to 4:30 PM
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TOWN OF TEWKSBURY