Via Franklin Heath Dept (first published on Franklin Matters)

Mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) can pose a risk during mosquito season.

Why it matters:

People can get sick from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Symptoms of the mild illness can include fever, fatigue, aches and join pain. Severe illness can include high fever, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis

Risk of severe illness increases with age or if you have a chronic medical condition or weakened immune system.

To avoid getting sick from the bite of an infected mosquito, health officials recommend

Using an EPA-registered mosquito repellant

Avoiding outdoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitos are most active

Wearing long, loose-fitting shirts and pants

Using screens on windows and doors or air conditioning

The state's interactive tracking tool lets you click or hover over your town to see the current risk level, updated throughout the active mosquito season (June-October).

Check your local risk level: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update