City Health Official Urges West Nile Caution

The following is a statement from Melrose Public Health Nurse Karen Cronin:  

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised the threat level for West Nile Virus from moderate to high in Melrose and a number of other Middlesex County communities.

There have been no human cases of West Nile Virus in Melrose, but six have occurred in neighboring cities and towns. West Nile usually presents as a flu-like illness and may be more severe in people over 50.

The DPH recommends that residents take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially around dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, by wearing long sleeves and long pants and socks when outdoors, and by using a mosquito repellent containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 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 three years of age. DPH also recommends that residents eliminate standing water in birdbaths, pools, and other areas where mosquitoes can breed, and make sure window screens are tight-fitting to keep mosquitoes outside the house.