MARION — West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Marion according to a Sept. 17 announcement from Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Trucks are scheduled to begin spraying for mosquitoes in town as early as Monday, Sept. 20. 

The current West Nile Virus risk level for Marion is low.

While West Nile Virus can sometimes be serious and even deadly, most people who contract it do not experience any symptoms at all. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 people who get West Nile will experience a fever and other symptoms, while about 1 in 150 will experience severe or even fatal symptoms. 

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 Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project will be conducting spray in areas of Marion on Monday, Sept. 20.

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.

Additionally, the Town of Marion recommends the following precautionary measures:

Avoid Mosquito Bites:

Apply insect repellent when outdoors.
Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 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 3 years old.

Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

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 the evening or early morning.

If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.

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 discarding items that hold water.

Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in bird baths frequently.

Install or repair screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

There have been seven human cases of West Nile Virus in the state this year in Middlesex, Essex and Bristol counties, and one case in an animal in Middlesex County.

Information about West Nile Virus and reports of current and historical WNV activity in Massachusetts can be found on the DPH website.