West Nile deaths spur legislative reaction

After several cases of the mosquito-borne diseases West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis -- two of which were fatal -- broke out in Massachusetts, health specialists are saying people should remain wary of mosquito bites until the end of October.

Governor Mitt Romney immediately issued a public health alert after two people died from EEE.

Tim Deschamps, executive director of the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project, said it is crucial for citizens to be aware and to practice preventative measures to avoid being bitten.

"Anyone that is spending large amount of time outside should be aware of the potential risk for viral transmission and to try to minimize their exposure to mosquitoes, which is around dawn and dusk," Deschamps said. "If they do need to be outdoors, they should practice avoidance techniques."

The West Nile Virus season begins in July and ends in October. The state has taken measures to ensure that transmission does not increase as the season comes to an end.

"In cooperation with the state, we have an intense surveillance program that captures and identifies species and tests for viruses," Deschamps said. He added that CMMCP is monitoring mosquito larvae in wetlands. If infected larvae are discovered, the mosquitoes are killed without affecting the surrounding ecosystem.

Deschamps cautioned that EEE is more rare and more serious than West Nile.

"Generally the young and elderly are more at risk," he said. "However, with [EEE], that is not necessarily the case. Those with compromised immune systems could be more at risk for serious complications."

The introduction of West Nile Virus to this region is unknown and has not been properly documented, according to Deschamps.

"The disease is spread by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds, which may circulate the virus in their blood for a few days," Deschamps said. "Infected mosquitoes can then transmit West Nile Virus to humans and animals while biting to take blood."

With a little less than a month left of the season, many are fearful that more people will be infected with West Nile or EEE, but Deschamps said he thinks the worst has already arrived. "If it was mid-August, we would be more concerned," he said.

Christine Pearson, spokeswoman for the Center for Disease Control, said 1,512 human cases of West Nile, 41 of which were fatalities, have been detected across the country since the middle of June. "If 80 percent of cases have no symptoms, and we have had 1,512 reported cases, it is not uncommon for us to continue to have activity into October, particularly as it has moved to a more temperate climate," she said, adding that people should not assume they are safe just because the season is coming to an end.

Pearson explained how West Nile Virus has changed over time.

"[West Nile Virus] was first identified in 1999, and it has been different each year, slowly moving westward," Pearson said.

West Nile has been a problem in the United States for only a few years, Pearson said. "We need more years of data."

Pearson stressed that people should use repellant to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

The state Department of Public Health did not return repeated phone calls.