Vermont Department of Health has announced that they have discovered mosquitoes in areas of Windham County including Brattleboro that have tested positive for West Nile Virus. Please direct anyone with questions about West Nile Virus to information on the Vermont Department of Health Web Site, www.healthvermont.gov.
The Town has been in contact with representatives from the Vermont Department of Health who continue to urge people to take normal precautions when outdoors, and to follow the recommendations listed on the attached Health Department flyer.
TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO
Town Manager’s Office
230 Main Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 254-4541
FAX (802) 257-2322
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Don’t let them bug you – Prevent Mosquito-borne Diseases
West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) are infectious diseases
transmitted by mosquitoes. Although the risk of getting infected is low, it’s not zero.
It’s important to take steps to reduce your risk of infection.
To prevent mosquito bites
●● Limit the amount of time spent outdoors at dusk and dawn.
●● Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outside when mosquitoes are active.
●● Use insect repellents that are labeled as being effective against mosquitoes.
•• Effective ingredients are DEET, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
•• For more information about choosing a repellent see: healthvermont.gov and search for ‘insect repellent’
●● Cover baby carriages or outdoor play spaces with mosquito netting.
●● Fix any holes in the screens in your house and make sure they are tightly attached to the doors and windows.
Reduce mosquitoes near your home
●● Remove standing water around your house.
●● Dispose of, or regularly empty any water-holding containers (including trash cans) on your property.
●● Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors, so water can drain out.
●● Clean clogged roof gutters of leaves and debris that prevent drainage of rainwater.
●● Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
●● Do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths. Change it every three or four days.
●● Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated. Remove standing water from pool covers.
●● Use landscaping to keep standing water from collecting on your property.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
For more information on mosquito-borne diseases in Vermont:
healthvermont.gov
800-913-1139
July 2013
