Wayland Resident Contracts West Nile Virus: Health Dept.

WAYLAND, MA — A Wayland man has tested positive for West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne disease that can pose serious health risks.

The Wayland man is in his 50s, and is the eighth Massachusetts resident to test positive for the virus so far this year. Mosquitoes are still active — and likely will be until the first frost — but Wayland's WNV risk level is only moderate right now.

"With no sign of the first frost in the weather forecast we urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites," the Wayland Department of Public Health said in a bulletin. "The risk for WNV is beginning to decline but remains until the first frost when mosquitoes die off. As we get into mid-October there will cooler weather, less day light and less hatching of new mosquitoes."

WNV can cause some flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, the virus can cause a deadly form of encephalitis in humans.

Here are some tips to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses this fall:

• Avoid going outdoors at peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk
• If you do go out, wear long sleeves and pants and use mosquito repellent containing DEET
• At home, make sure your screens are in good shape, and drain any standing water that accumulates on your property (mosquitoes breed in it)

Learn more about WNV, including symptoms and health complications, on the state Department of Public Health website.