MARION — Town Administrator James McGrail and Public Health Director Lori Desmarais reported on Friday, Sept. 2 that the West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in Marion by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. 

The West Nile Virus risk level for Marion is low. 

Mosquitoes are most prevalent from May to August, but remain active until the first time temperatures fall below freezing.

West Nile Virus 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 the virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk for severe infection.

The Town of Marion recommends the following precautionary measures:

Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from skin. Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Drain standing water, mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Install or repair screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

There has been one human case of West Nile Virus in the state this year in Suffolk county, and no cases in an animal. There have been no human or animal cases of West Nile Virus in Plymouth County this year.

The Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project will be spraying the streets in Marion center on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Applications are made via an ultra-low volume sprayer that is on the back of a pickup truck. Typically, spraying is done from the street and can travel up to 300 feet.

Weather permitting; the sprayers operate from 2 a.m. until 30 minutes before sunrise on weekdays. Residents can call or go to their website for more information as well. 781-585-5450, www.plymouthmosquito.org.

Information about West Nile Virus and reports of current and historical West Nile Virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the following websites: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/west-nile-virus-wnv and https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update