5 Things: West Nile Cases 'Highest Reported'

With the Center of Disease Control reporting Aug. 21 that it has been a record-setting summer for West Nile cases, we are dedicating our 5 Things today to information about the disease and how you can decrease your risk.

1. Marlborough is among a handful of surrounding communities that is at "moderate risk" for West Nile Virus, the city reported last week. 

2. As of Wednesday, 47 states have reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes, according to the Center for Disease Control. A total of 1118 cases of West Nile virus disease in people, including 41 deaths, has been reported to CDC. Of these, 629 (56 percent) were classified as neuroinvasive disease (such as meningitis or encephalitis) and 489 (44 percent) were classified as non-neuroinvasive disease.

3. The 1,118 cases reported so far is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the third week in August since 1999, when the virus was first detected in the United States.

4. Almost half of the cases have been reported from Texas. Approximately 75 percent of the cases have been reported from 5 states (Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma).

5. To decrease your risk of exposure, the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project recommends:

• Avoiding being outside during peak mosquito hours of dusk to dawn. 
• Wearing long pants and long-sleeved sleeve shirts
• Using an insect repellent that contains DEET 
• Draining standing water in yards 
• Installing or repairing window screening