A large portion of mosquitoes are a nuisance but some are capable of carrying diseases (called vectors) according to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Farm and Markets.
HARDWICK – In Vermont, mosquitoes may be carrying viruses that cause diseases like West Nile virus (WNV) or Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
Mosquito season begins in spring, but the risk for disease is highest in the summer months. The risk is lower when temperatures are below 60 degrees and mosquitoes are less active. Mosquito bites continue to be a risk until the first hard frost.
No towns in the Hardwick Area are on the Vermont Dept. of Health list of towns at high, medium or low risk for EEE. In high risk areas, health officials strongly recommend people avoid spending time outdoors as much as possible between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid mosquitoes that could carry the virus.
West Nile virus has been found in all counties of Vermont and continues to be detected in mosquitoes each year, says the department of health, however, it is a relatively rare cause of illness in people.
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. Only a few human cases are reported in the United States each year. The disease also commonly affects horses, but it has been reported in other animals like alpacas, donkeys, pheasants, and emus.
There are no human vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat EEE or WNV. The best way to reduce the risk of infection with either virus is by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites: limit time outdoors at dawn and dusk, use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear with permethrin and control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.
During the summer and early fall months, mosquitoes in Vermont are regularly monitored by traps placed at sites around the state. The collected mosquitoes are tested for arborviruses (mosquito-borne viruses) that may affect Vermonters: WNV and EEE.
The health department summarizes and reports mosquito testing results and reports of human and animal illnesses every week. WNV was reported in samples from Hardwick the weeks of July 14 to 20, July 28 to August 3 and August 11 to 17, but no human or animal cases of either has been reported in the area.
A mosquito trap in Marshfield, the only other trap in the Gazette coverage area, collected no mosquitos carrying either disease.
Only one human case each of WNV and EEE have so far been reported in Vermont in 2024. Both were in Chittenden County. The only animal case reported was of EEE in Addison County.
The Vermont Department of Health says the best way to prevent getting sick is by preventing mosquito bites. Since mosquitoes breed in standing water that lasts more than four days, it recommends getting rid of standing water to reduce the number of mosquitoes around the house.
More information can be found at: healthvermont.gov/mosquito
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
