Bristol County discovers mosquitoes that can carry the Zika virus

By Ana Bottary

Abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

The Aedes Albopictus, or Asian Tiger Mosquito, known to transmit the Zika virus has been discovered in cities and towns in Bristol County.
 
"In the past we have found it not only in New Bedford, but also in Westport and Fairhaven,"says Priscilla Matton, Superintendent of the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project.
 
While there have been 7 confirmed cases of Zika virus in Massachusetts, and 1 in Rhode Island, she says the only way for a mosquito to get Zika would to bite a human with the virus.The breed tends to be active during the day, and does not travel far, staying very close to their home.

"It’s highly unlikely that local cases of transmission will occur because we don’t have a local Zika transmission anywhere in Massachusetts,"says Matton.

The mosquitoes tend to migrate towards objects that contain standing water. Matton believes they migrated here through tires transported from warmer climates. Last year, only about 200 Asian Tiger mosquitoes were found in Bristol County. Matton says the risk of getting the virus from them is "highly unlikely" but locals are still on edge.
 
"Yes it worries me. I take all of the precautions with Mosquitoes anyways but the threat is worrisome,"says Erin Arsenault.
 
"Being from Africa, I know some of the risks that these kinds of diseases hold so it definitely raises some eyebrows,"says Samuel Baah.
 
Matton says people shouldn’t panic about the finding of these mosquitoes, but they should still protect themselves from being bitten.
 
"Dress appropriately, so long sleeves, long pants. If you can use a repellant with DEET, or one that is recommended by the CDC and then if you can drain the standing water around your property,"she adds.

(c)WLNE-TV 2016