September means great weather and plenty of outdoor activities in New England. Until the first frost, September is also a time when mosquitoes are active. The Massachusetts Board of Health monitors the transmission of two mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) infection. West Nile Virus was identified in a dead bird in Milton, but there have been no human cases of the virus. The Town of Milton Board of Health has not established any restrictions on outdoor activity: although neither of these viruses is a significant threat in the Milton area, we at School are taking common sense precautions.

All coaches have mosquito repellent available and make it available for athletes during practices and games. For outdoor evening events, we are instructing students to wear long pants and shirts, as well as encouraging students to use insect repellent. For the under-the-lights football game that will take place this Saturday evening at the Milton High School field, the Academy will provide insect repellent in the fan buses as well as at the field.

For further information about these two mosquito-borne viruses, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Web site: www.mass.gov/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm