Politics & Government

Salem Health Agent Issues Mosquito Reminder

Here are some mosquito safety tips from Salem's Health Agent.

The following press release was issued by Salem's Health Agent Larry Ramdin: 

Due to the unseasonably wet weather and warmer days, there has been an observed increase in the mosquito population.

This is further complicated by the detection of mosquitoes positive for the West Nile virus in neighboring communities.

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We can help to protect ourselves and our loved ones, especially those who engage in outdoor activity after dusk by taking a few, common-sense precautions:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Find out what's happening in Salemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

· 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. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.

· 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 - 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. While Salem Board of Health continues to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies to provide information on measures that residents can take to reduce mosquito breeding places as well as protecting themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes.

Information about WNV and reports of WNV activity in Massachusetts during 2013 can be found on the MDPH website at http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv. Recorded information about WNV is also available by calling the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968).


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