News release from Milton Board of Health
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced yesterday evening that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been detected in mosquitoes collected in the town of Canton. As a result, the risk level in neighboring towns, including Milton, is being raised from “low” to “moderate.”
The Milton Board of Health reminds everyone to follow the standard precautionary measures listed below issued from the MDPH. 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-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% 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.
In addition, the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project (NCMCP) conducts weekly ground based spraying on Tuesday mornings between the hours of 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM based on residents requests and mosquito activity monitoring, weather permitting. Residents who wish to have their property sprayed by NCMCP should fill out an online request form at http://www.
The Milton Board of Health will continue to work with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project to monitor the risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus in the town of Milton.
More information on mosquito-borne diseases, on protecting yourself from bites by mosquitoes, and on safe application of mosquito repellents can be obtained by visiting the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv.