The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced on 8/22 that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Fairhaven .In 2017, 5,496 mosquito samples were tested for WNV and 290 samples were positive. Fairhaven had 0 WNV positive mosquito samples identified in 2017.
WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. 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.
While Fairhaven Board of Health continues to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies, locally we are asking residents to check their property for standing water sources, Dress properly and use insect repellent. Current information will be posted on the Fairhaven BOH web page, www.fairhaven-ma.gov/board-health/pages/mosquito-tick-information where you will also find information on how to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.
To call to have your yard sprayed free of charge, contact Bristol County Mosquito Control at 508-823-5253
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