FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2006

CONTACT:

Nick Breault

Executive Secretary

Town of East Longmeadow

Phone (413) 525-5400 ext. 420

Fax (413) 525-1025

nbreault@eastlongmeadow.org

MOSQUITO AND RABIES SAFETY TIPS

As the summer season continues, the East Longmeadow Board of Health, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, issues the following safety tips.

Mosquito and Tick Safety:

In Massachusetts, West Nile virus infection (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) are the two viruses people may get if they are bitten by an infected mosquito. There are few cases of these infections each year, but most cases of WNV and EEE occur in late summer and early fall.

Lyme disease, caused by a bite from an infected deer tick, is the most common tick-borne disease in Massachusetts. Lyme disease can cause serious complications if it is not recognized early and treated appropriately.

There are effective actions people can take to avoid mosquito bites and exposure to ticks:

• Limit your time outdoors during peak periods of mosquito activity (dusk and dawn). Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants if you’re out during dusk and dawn.
• Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET or Picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus may also be considered. Always follow the directions on the label.
• If you are out in an area with ticks (and these ticks occur all across the state), then do daily tick checks on you and your children, and remove ticks carefully according to directions you can find on the DPH web site.
• Cover the arms and legs of children playing outdoors. Cover a baby’s carriage or playpen with mosquito netting.
• Fix any holes in your screens and make sure they are tightly attached to all doors and windows.
• Remove any standing pools of water around your home. Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days.  Make sure water does not collect and stagnate in ceramic pots, trash cans, recycling containers, old tires, wading pools, bird baths, etc.  Remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of roof gutters.

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More information about the mosquito-borne diseases found in Massachusetts, EEE and WNV is available at the following DPH website: www.mass.gov/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm. Information about WNV is also available by calling the DPH recorded information line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968).

For more information about Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses, please visit: www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/lyme/lymehp.htm.

Dead Bird Reporting:

Massachusetts residents can report dead birds to the toll-free WNV Information Line, 1-866-627-7968 (1-866-MASS WNV). Residents may also call the East Longmeadow Board of Health at (413) 525-5400 extension 420.

Rabies:

Rabies is a fatal, viral infection most often found in wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes.  It can be spread to domestic animals or humans through contact with an infected animal’s saliva or nervous tissue, usually through a bite or scratch.  To protect yourself and your family pets, never feed or touch wild or stray animals.  If you are bitten or scratched by any animal, wash the wound immediately and contact your health care provider and the East Longmeadow Board of Health at 525-5400 ext. 420 and the East Longmeadow Police Department at 525-5440.

Additional rabies prevention tips include:

• Teach your children to avoid wildlife, strays, and all other animals they do not know well.
• Do not handle dead, sick, or injured wild animals yourself; call the police or the animal control officer. If you must handle an animal, use heavy gloves, sticks or other tools to avoid direct contact.
• Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and that their shots are up-to-date. By law, all dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies.
• If you have bats in your house, talk to a professional about bat-proofing your home.

More information about rabies can be found at www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/rabies/rabies.htm; or by calling 1-888-658-2850.

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