West Nile Found in Pittsfield Mosquitoes

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Pull down your sleeves and apply insect repellent: West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Pittsfield. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed a virus isolation at the Pittsfield Cemetery near the end of King Street, the city announced on Friday. 

There are no confirmed human cases, but residents are encouraged to take preventative actions. 

"WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito," according to a press release from City Hall. 

"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." 

To avoid contact with an infected mosquito, residents can apply insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, be aware of peak mosquito hours from dusk until dawn, and mosquito-proof their homes by draining still water and using screening. 

Pittsfield is continuing to work closely with the Berkshire County Mosquito Control project and other agencies. For mosquito control, the city is applying larvicide, conducting targeted education programs, distributing fact sheets on West Nile and on reducing exposure to mosquitoes, and treating catch basins.

• Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 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 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 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. 
   
• 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.
   
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours — The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the 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 repellent.

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 your windows and doors. 

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