DPH issues reminders to reduce risks of mosquito-borne illnesses

With mosquito season upon us, the Department of Public Health is reminding residents and municipal officials that mosquitoes can spread illness-causing viruses such as West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis.

The DPH works with mosquito control districts to trap and test samples of mosquitoes to help measure and track risk throughout the season. Updates are posted on the DPH’s Massachusetts arbovirus update website.

Any detection of West Nile or EEE viruses in mosquitoes in Massachusetts is a signal that it’s time to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.

The DPH reports that EEE infections in people don’t happen every year in Massachusetts. There were 12 cases in 2019 and five cases in 2020, but no infections since then. West Nile is more common, and the DPH expects human infections every year. Eight people were infected with West Nile in 2022.

Only a small number of mosquitoes are infected at any given time, so being bitten by a mosquito does not mean you will get sick. The best way to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses, however, is to prevent mosquito bites.

The DPH recommends the following measures:
• Use insect repellents when outdoors
• Wear long-sleeved shirts
• Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours from dusk to dawn during peak mosquito season
• Repair damaged window and door screens
• Remove standing water from the areas around the home

For more information, including any West Nile- and EEE-positive results, visit the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page or call the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.