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AUBURN, Mass. – Despite mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus in the Pakachoag Hill neighborhood in Auburn last week, the town is moving forward with another free summer concert on Thursday night at the Pappas Recreation Complex.
“There's mosquito spraying there on Tuesday. Even though the Pappas area wasn’t immediately impacted, we wanted to make sure we put peoples’ minds at ease,” said Town Manager Julie Jacobson. “It was sprayed prior to the first concert as well because we anticipated there could be a problem with mosquitoes.
“So with spraying on Tuesday, it's good to go for the Thursday concert,” Jacobson continued.
Windfall, a classic rock band, will hit the stage at the Riley-Pappas Performance Pavilion on Thursday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. They are a six-member band with two singers, two guitarists, one bassist and one drummer. Hometown Bank is sponsoring the performance.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported last week that West Nile Virus was detected in mosquitoes collected from the Pakachoag Hill area of Auburn.
Ultra-low volume spraying from a truck took place from 8 p.m. to midnight on Tuesday to kill mosquitoes in that neighborhood.
The disease has only been identified in mosquitoes; no human cases have been identified in Auburn. Also, the detected mosquitoes are primarily animal-biting mosquitoes, according to the Town of Auburn.
By taking a few precautions, people can help protect themselves from mosquito exposure, according to the Town of Auburn:
- Peak biting times for many mosquitoes are from dusk to dawn. Reschedule outdoor activities during those times. If you notice mosquitoes around you, avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
- Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
- Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
- Drain standing water because many mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Drain or get rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
- Install or repair screens to keep mosquitoes from coming indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
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