City health officials announce today that West Nile Virus has been detected in a mosquito sample collected in Peabody.

One immediate precaution being taken, further influenced by yesterday's deluge, is that the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control District will be spraying pesticides downtown and at school athletic fields and buildings to reduce the mosquito population. Spraying is planned for Wednesday through Saturday evenings.

Health Director Sharon Cameron said during a press conference on Wednesday regarding the flooding, the concern was that the insect population would surge back due to all the rain and standing water. She said that in addition to around school buildings, major streets, such as Central and Foster would be sprayed,

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday that a positive WNV sample was collected, Cameron said. While no human or animal cases have been identified in Peabody, residents are still urged to take precautions -- WNV can simply be transmitted from the bite of an infected mosquito.

The Health Department offers the following suggestions to guard against bites:

Avoid mosquito bites

• Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
• Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)]. These products have restrictions, so make sure to follow the instructions on the product label.

Mosquito-proof your home

• Drain standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or repair screens. Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Cameron says the city ohas worked closely with Mosquito Control this year to reduce risk of mosquito-borne illnesses. Spraying was conducted last month at public parks, athletic fields and in catch basins (where the insects lay their eggs) as well, after WNV infected mosquitos were identified in neighboring communities.

Mosquito pools are tested twice each week from May to September in order to help identify infected mosquitoes.

Information about WNV and reports of WNV activity in Massachusetts for 2010 can be found on the MDPH website. You can also call the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 866-627-7968. You can reach the Peabody Public Health Department at 978-538-5926.