More West Nile Infected Mosquitoes Detected: How to Prevent Infection

According to the Belmont Health Department, the West Nile virus has been detected in Mosquitoes from Cambridge and Newtown just a few weeks following the findings of the mosquitoes with virus in Belmont, via Patch. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has also added that due to multiple WNV positive mosquitoes found in Newtown, Watertown, Cambridge and Waltham, the area has moved to moderate risk of WNV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that most people who become infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. However, 1 in 5  will develop a fever, body aches, a headache, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash. Fortunately, the organization notes that most with this type of the virus recover completely, but may be fatigued for a period of several months. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurological illness.

In order to better mosquito proof your home, it's important to take as many safety precautions as necessary to protect you and your family.

Water is a great breeding grounds for mosquitoes, so it's always important to try and drain standing water that could potentially beckon more bugs. Making sure rain barrels are covered as well as open containers is also a good way to prevent the increase of mosquitoes outside or near your home.

And installing screens in your home or nets is also essential to prevent mosquito bites that could possibly lead to dangerous health conditions.

At this time, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatments against the infection. It's best to take these and other precautionary measures to help protect you and your loved ones.