The City of Medford Board of Health Department would like to inform you that recent testing of mosquito traps in Medford have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Your risk of getting ill from WNV is low, but you can protect yourself from mosquitoes and follow necessary preventative measures listed on the City of Medford website – http://www.medfordma.org/departments/health-department/ . For more information please call 781-393-2560.
More information:
Since there is no human vaccine for WNV, the best way to protect yourself is to keep mosquitoes from biting you.
•Limiting outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
•Wear along-sleeved shirt, long pants and socks.
•Use a that contains DEET or Picaridin. Products with permethrin should only be used on clothing. Always follow the directions on the label. Repellents should not be used on children younger than two months of age.
•Make sure windows and door screens do not have holes in them.
Mosquitoes grow in standing (stagnant) water. Getting rid of that water helps to lower the number of mosquitoes in your area. Look around outside your house for containers and other things that might collect water and turn them over, regularly empty them, or dispose of them. Wheelbarrows, unused flower pots, trash cans and lids, watering cans, storm gutters, tires, and wading pools should be emptied when not in use. Swimming pools should be in working order, and if not, they should be drained and /or treated with a shock treatment every two weeks.
Again, a fact sheet with more information can be found on the City of Medford Board of Health Department website at: http://www.medfordma.org/departments/health-department/ or call 781-393-2560.