West Nile Confirmed in Reading

The Town

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in Culex mosquitoes collected from Reading, Massachusetts. As a result, the WNV risk level has been elevated to moderate in the Town of Reading. The virus was found in a mosquito pool sample taken on August 11th, 2016 from the Southeast quadrant area of Reading. Please know this risk level is a routine change that happens throughout the mosquito season.

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 well
as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all 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, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
 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-diethylmtoluamide),
permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus
[pmethane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. 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.
 Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by
having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
While the Reading Health Division continues to work closely with the MDPH and other
agencies, locally we are working with the East Middlesex & Suffolk County Mosquito Control
Projects to increase their mosquito control efforts, including larviciding and adulticiding. Fact
sheets on WNV and on reducing exposure to mosquitoes are available at the Town Hall.