Bird with West Nile found in Boston

By Stephen Smith, Globe staff

For the first time this summer, West Nile virus has been detected in Boston, public health authorities announced this afternoon.

A red-tailed hawk infected with the disease was found in Jamaica Plain, the Boston Public Health Commission said today. The virus is usually spread by mosquitoes.

No human cases of West Nile have been reported in Massachusetts this year; last year, six people fell ill with the disease.

Boston authorities have already started putting insecticide in catch basins to reduce the number of mosquitoes.

Earlier this month, mosquitoes carrying West Nile were discovered in Brookline and Worcester.

To avoid being bitten, public health authorities recommend staying inside from dusk to dawn, peak time for mosquito activity. If outdoor activity is necessary during those hours, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks can provide protection.

Repellants can help, too, including DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. DEET should not be used on babies younger than 2 months and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of 3.

Draining standing water from gutters, unused flower pots, and wading pools can deprive mosquitoes of necessary breeding grounds. And having secure window screens can prevent the bugs from getting inside homes.