Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus in Marion

MARION — For the first time this summer, mosquitoes in Marion have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious diseases like meningitis and is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

There are several steps people can take to protect themselves from mosquitoes, which includes the following.

Avoid outdoor activities that can be postponed between dusk and dawn, which is when mosquitoes are most active.

Use mosquito repellents with an EPA-registered active ingredient. Ingredients to look for in repellents include DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus.

It is also advised to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks to keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Clean up any standing water that can serve as a mosquito breeding area, including bird baths, pet water bowls and buckets.

Mowing the lawn frequently and reducing brush, tall grasses and leaf litter can also limit mosquito presence.

Make sure screens are repaired and are tightly attached to doors and windows and use mosquito netting on carriages or playpens.

To protect animals, keep them indoors between dusk and dawn and clean animal water bowls, buckets and troughs at least twice weekly. There are also vaccines licensed for horses.

Plymouth County Mosquito Control is now accepting spray requests online or by phone at 781-585-5450.

Less than 1% of people infected with West Nile Virus will develop severe illness, with approximately 80% of those infected exhibiting none and 20% experiencing minor symptoms, according to Mass.gov.

Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands and a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.

Symptoms of severe illness can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

People older than 50 years of age have a higher risk of developing severe illness from West Nile Virus.