Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health alerts, and even facts about the scope of responsibility that local Boards of Health manage.

The summer is a time of fun, sun, and unfortunately, bugs. They can be a nuisance, but they can also bring unwanted diseases and illness. Both mosquitoes and ticks are at peak form during the summer months and may carry any one of the vector-borne illnesses that can make us sick. This can also cause long-term conditions and problems for those infected.

The World Health Organization states that globally, vector-borne diseases result in 700,000 deaths per year, and according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), infections caused by mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas have doubled in the US between 2001 and 2023. The 2022 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment Report identifies vector-borne diseases as one of the two most urgent human health risks occurring from extreme temperatures. The highest heat related health risk in Westport is the projected increase of disease arising from a growing vector population.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Malaria, Dengue, West Nile Virus (WNV), Chikungunya, and Zika are a few of the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. Some of these occur in tropical climates and are rare in this part of the world, but some are on the rise in southern parts of the US. What we know is that an increase in warmer and wetter weather has fostered the migration and proliferation of mosquitoes that may carry these diseases further north. In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health currently tests mosquitoes for EEE and WNV. In 2023 there were eight reported cases of individuals with WNV, and one mosquito tested positive for WNV in Westport. This year mosquitoes have tested positive for WNV in Dartmouth. Between 2019 and 2020 there were 17 cases of people with EEE, and seven fatalities. There is no treatment, and those who survive will often be permanently disabled.

Ticks transmit more types of disease than any other group of blood feeding mites or arthropods. Lyme disease is the most reported vector-borne disease in the United States caused by the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi. In Bristol County, there are 4,314 confirmed cases but the Department of Public Health estimates that actual infection of Lyme disease is 10 times greater. In the US, there are more than three million cases per year. Along with Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Powassan, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease is transmitted in the saliva of black legged ticks when they attach to their host. Transmission from tick to host occurs by passing on bacteria, a virus, or parasite.

In Massachusetts, Lyme disease, Babesiosis, Powassan, and Anaplasmosis are native, or endemic. Not only can they make you sick but can cause acute and long- term neurological disability. When spending time outdoors it is important to check yourself daily for ticks to prevent prolonged attachment when disease is likely transmitted.

The best way to not become infected with a vector-borne disease is by taking protective measures. Wearing light-colored permethrin treated long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors between dusk to dawn, or when hiking, and using insect repellant with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus can reduce the risk of an insect bite. Do not use these on children under three years of age. Only use DEET repellant of less than 30 percent on children but none on infants under two months old. Other ways to deter mosquitoes are to remove standing water around your home and repair screens. There are also some plants that mosquitoes do not like such as lavender, peppermint, basil, and citronella, and can be planted or kept in pots around your home that may repel them. Eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary may deter ticks as well. For more detailed information about mosquito and tick transmitted diseases and prevention of infection visit www.mass.gov/mosquitoes-and-ticks.

As the summer continues, please take advantage of all that the warmer weather has to offer. But also keep in mind ways to stay safe so that you may enjoy yourself for years to come.

Amaral, a registered nurse, is a member of the Westport Board of Health.