What you need to know about diseases transmitted by mosquitoes -
West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are serious diseases caused by a virus transmitted through the bite of a mosquito.
You can reduce your chances of getting a mosquito borne disease by avoiding being outside between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, wearing long pants and shirts when you are outdoors and using a bug repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or a oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to the instruction given on the product label.
Addition tips to help protect yourself and your family are; keep your yard free of any standing water by emptying unused wading pools or containers that might collect rainwater, change water in bird baths and pet bowls frequently, install screens in doors and windows and check roof gutters and remove any debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than 4 days.
For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/dph or call the Northampton Health Department at (413)587-1215.