SAUGUS — The state Department of Public Health determined that a mosquito containing West Nile virus was found on July 29 in a mosquito pool in “the southeastern quadrant” of town.
Michael Gaffney, the media website content manager for the town, said that the state did not provide a more specific location than the “southeastern quadrant” of town.
In a statement released on the town’s website, precautionary measures for residents were listed, including draining standing water and installing or repairing window screens.
Additionally, the town said that awareness of peak mosquito hours, which are from dusk to dawn, is important. The town suggested that people shift their activity times to avoid being at risk of mosquito bites.
The town also suggested people use insect repellants, especially those that contain N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), permethrin, or picaridin.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus was also recommended for mosquito prevention.
The town said that the mosquito containing the virus belongS to the culex pipiens species, which it called “bird-biting” in a press release.
In a press release from July, the DPH said that mosquitoes carrying the virus were also previously found in June in Quincy and provided additional information and preventative measures for dealing with mosquitoes.
The DPH said that there were only six cases of the virus detected in the state last year.
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in the release that this time of year is when it is expected that there will be mosquitoes found carrying the West Nile virus.
“This is the beginning of our mosquito season in Massachusetts. From now on, we expect mosquito populations to increase, and we will start to see more of them carrying WNV,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown said in the release.
While everyone can be infected with WNV, it is especially impactful to those older than the age of 50, who are at risk of more severe side effects.
West Nile virus-infection metrics are difficult to measure, as only severe cases are usually recorded and reported.
Metrics provided by the town state that between 2000 and 2010, there were 67 infections throughout the state, with six deaths.
As of Aug. 2, the DPH listed Saugus’ risk level for the virus as “low,” meaning that infection is unlikely.
Kimberly Foss, an entomologist with the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control Division, said that it has undisclosed trap locations, which are a combination of CDC CO2 light traps and Gravid traps.
Foss said that the CDC CO2 traps collect mosquitos that primarily bite mammals, which they refer to as “bridge vectors,” and that the Gravid traps are referred to as “primary vectors,” which trap mosquitoes that primarily bite birds. If the mosquitoes’ preferred or “primary” food sources are unavailable, they will seek out other sources to feed from.
In the district covered by the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control Division, Foss said that there are 70 such traps, the locations of which are anonymous to shield them from disturbances that might interfere with the accuracy of collected data. They are also kept anonymous due to safety concerns, as the traps attract mosquitoes and could result in people without the proper personal protective equipment being bitten.
These traps are collected weekly, Foss said, from May 15 to Oct. 1, and are often collected on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
“When we get a positive result from the lab, residents often… assume the virus is only in the area we trapped, or only in that neighborhood,” Foss said.
Foss said that this is untrue, as mosquitoes frequently cross state and municipal lines, so notices to the public should be adhered to “until heavy frost,” as the virus has been isolated through the state throughout the year.
“There could be virus in areas of the state where trapping isn’t occurring,” Foss said.
Residents who are concerned about mosquitoes can call Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control at 978-352-2800 through Aug. 7 for mosquito fog treatments on Aug. 8.
For more information, people can visit https://www.saugus-ma.gov/home/news/west-nile-virus-confirmed-mosquito-sample-saugus or https://www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases .
