MEMORANDUM

TO:                  School Superintendents

FROM:            Commissioner John Auerbach

                        Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)

                        Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)

DATE:             August 30, 2010

Despite cooler temperatures, mosquito activity continues throughout the late summer and into fall.  This activity brings with it the continued risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus (WNV) infection and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).  In fact, the peak time for transmission of these viruses is generally in late summer and early fall.

Between 2000 and 2009 there were 63 human cases of WNV locally acquired in Massachusetts, including six fatalities. There has already been one person identified with WNV infection this year. There have been 13 cases of EEE, with 6 deaths, in Massachusetts residents since 2004. This year, one Massachusetts and one Rhode Island resident have been confirmed with EEE infection after being exposed to the virus in an area of southeastern Massachusetts identified as being at high-risk.

Participation in outdoor activities at any time of day increases exposure to mosquitoes.  Many of the sports and recreational activities students participate in occur during the evening when many kinds of mosquitoes are most actively biting.  In addition, physical exertion and sweating can increase individual attractiveness to mosquitoes and may decrease the time that repellents are effective.

This year, some areas of Massachusetts are experiencing elevated levels of mosquito-borne virus activity.  We recommend that you contact your local board of health concerning the latest information about these viruses, the risk of transmission in your area, and the steps you may take to reduce the risk of infection in students, including rescheduling certain activities for times of day with less mosquito activity. 

As the education leader in your community or region, we are asking that you partner with us to increase awareness in your students about the risk from mosquito-borne disease and to encourage the use of personal protective measures including wearing protective clothing and using mosquito repellents.

·              Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.

·              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 (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] 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.  Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. 

Apply only as much repellent as needed. Choose a product that will provide sufficient protection for the amount of time that you will be spending outdoors. Saturation does not increase repellent efficacy. Product labels often indicate the length of time that you can expect protection from a product. Keep repellents away from eyes, nostrils and lips: do not inhale or ingest repellents or get them into the eyes. Avoid applying repellents to portions of children's hands that are likely to have contact with eyes or mouth.  Never use repellents on wounds or irritated skin.  Wash repellent-treated skin after coming indoors.