Rehoboth Health Advisory

Public Health Nurse Geraldine Hamel provided an overview of infectious diseases at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

Hamel reported nine cases of Covid-19 over the summer and three preliminary cases as of Monday.

Hamel said her bigger concern was tick-borne and mosquito-borne illnesses.

“Most of us remain in the mild category for tick-borne diseases,” Hamel explained.

Hamel warned of anaplasmosis, which can have “severe cerebral or brain impact” and babesiosis can have the same side effects but also “muscular skeletal side effects.”

There was one reported case of anaplasmosis and three reported cases of babesiosis this summer.

Hamel urged residents “to be very cautious when they’re out in their gardens or our hiking or running or out in any kind of long grass or brush. They really need to be extra cautious with clothing, keeping long sleeves, long pants with socks over your pants, and tick checks when you come back into your house.”

Hamel noted residents need to be sure a tick is not on their body. If you do find a tick, you can “pull it out in its entirety” with tweezers.

Triple E (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) also was mentioned by Hamel. There were 376 positive mosquito cases reported in Eastern Massachusetts.

“It still concerns me that the disease is that rampant among mosquito samples,” Hamel said, noting residents can protect themselves by using insect repellent. Long sleeves and long clothing are also recommended.

However, mosquitoes can bite through clothing, even baseball caps.

“If you don’t need to be, please don’t be out between dusk and dawn,” Hamel added.