Public Health Division

Weather forecast has indicated extreme heat for the next few days for all of Massachusetts.  Today, the Governor's Office provides guidance for residents to stay safe during extreme heat.   We encourage residents to check in on neighbors during this time, especially the homebound, disabled, or elderly.

In anticipation of the next few days of hot weather, the City of Revere is hosting outdoor cooling stations in 4 locations

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The water quality at Revere Beach and Short Beach are tested weekly during the summer months by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Revere’s Department of Public Works.  The water is tested for a specific type of bacteria and if this bacteria level gets too high, the water can become unsafe for swimming or ingestion.  This typically happens when there are high rain events or events that lead to a lot of run-off being discharged into waterways.  Beachgoers would see “No Swimming” signs posted on entrances to the beach, on lifeguard stands, and hear lifeguards making announcements.  The water will continue to be tested weekly and when bacteria levels drop below the level of concern the signs will be removed.  Swimming or ingesting contaminated water could result in symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, chills or fever.  If you are concerned about your potential exposure to contaminated water when signage is posted, please contact your healthcare provider. 

Here is an example of signage to look for at Revere Beach this summer:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The presence of WNV was confirmed by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in a mosquito sample collected July 6 in the town of Brookline in Norfolk County. No human or animal cases of WNV or Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been detected so far this year. 

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at Mosquito-borne Diseases | Mass.gov, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

For prevention tips and to read the full press release, click here.

Summer Air Quality Advisory:

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Exposure Poses Threat to At-Risk Populations in Massachusetts

Background

Climate change is increasing the vulnerability of many forests to wildfires and is also projected to increase the frequency of wildfires in certain regions of the United States. Wildfires produce high volumes of smoke each year, leading to unhealthy air quality levels, sometimes hundreds of miles away from the fire. Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, buildings, and other material. People who are very near the fire source may have smoke inhalation injury, which is caused by thermal (superheated gases), chemical (e.g., particulate matter and other irritants), and toxic (e.g., carbon monoxide, cyanide) effects of the products of combustion.  But wildfire smoke can affect people even if they are not near the fire source.

Individuals especially at risk after exposure to wildfire smoke include people with:

• asthma,
• COPD, or
• cardiovascular disease (e.g., ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure).

Children, older adults, or those who are pregnant are also especially at risk for severe outcomes.  

Recommendations for the Public When Air Quality is Poor:

• Stay indoors and keep smoke outside.
• Limit your time outdoors. If you must go outside when smoke is visible or can be smelled, reduce your smoke exposure by wearing an N95 or P100 respirator.
• Keep track of smoke near you using AirNow’s “Fire and Smoke Map” or the AirNow app or by listening to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio.
• Call your regional poison center if you have questions about wildfire smoke exposure (1-800-222-1222).
• If you have a medical condition like asthma, COPD, or metabolic and cardiovascular disease that puts you at risk for a severe outcome from wildfire smoke exposure, monitor your symptoms, seek medical care when needed, and ensure that your prescriptions are up-to-date and that you have an adequate supply on hand.