Peabody Officials: Mosquito Carrying West Nile Virus Found

PEABODY, MA – Peabody officials are warning residents that a mosquito carrying West Nile Virus was identified in Peabody. Peabody Police posted the news on Facebook on Friday, and urged residents to consistently wear insect repellent and protective clothing.

Residents should also get rid of any standing water around their homes, and make sure window screens aren't torn. A press release from the state department of Health and Human Services also recommended protecting your animals by flushing water troughs at least once a week during the summer, and asking your veterinarian about safe mosquito repellents to use for your pets.

"I encourage everyone to use the tools of prevention, including applying mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient according to the directions on the label, wearing clothing to reduce exposed skin when weather permits, draining standing water to prevent mosquito breeding and repairing window screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home," said DPH Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown in a statement. Brown warned that "August and early September are when we see most of our WNV infections in people."

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