Grafton Raises West Nile Virus Risk

GRAFTON, MA – The Town of Grafton has raised the West Nile virus risk to moderate, health officials said Monday. The virus, first detected in birds and mosquito samples in 1999, and in each year since, is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Most people infected with West Nile will experience mild or no symptoms, but some can develop severe symptoms. These include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

The symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. Individuals, especially those 50 years of age or older, or those with compromised immune systems, who are most at risk, are urged to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

To avoid mosquito bites, residents are advised to:

• Try to stay in places that use air conditioning. Repair any holes inyour screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all yourdoors and windows.

• If you must be outdoors at dusk or dawn, wear long sleeved shirt and long pants.

• Use a repellant containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or Picaridin (KBR 3023). Oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)] has been found to provide protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes and camping gear and should not be applied to the skin.

• Always apply repellents according to the instructions on the product label.

• Dispose of or regularly empty any mental cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots and other water holding containers on your property.

• Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have collected on your property. Stagnant water in tires is a common place for mosquitoes to breed.

• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors, so water can drain out.

• Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.

• Turn over plastic wading pools and other children's toys.

• Chlorinate swimming pool water or cover it when not in use.

• Turn over wheelbarrows when not in use.

• Repair leaky garden hoses.

• Do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths; aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.

• Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers.