City of Worcester, MA

City Public Health Officials Announce Season's Second Positive Mosquito Sample for West Nile Virus

For Immediate Release: 9/2/2015 2:47 pm

Worcester, MA (September 2, 2015) - The Worcester Division of Public Health announced today that West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos in Worcester for the second time this year. The WNV infection was confirmed by the State Public Health Laboratory Tuesday in several mosquito samples which were collected on August 28th in multiple quadrants of the City.

Worcester has now had mosquito samples test positive for West Nile on two different days this summer. The previous test was July 31st. The State Department of Public Health has changed Worcester's risk level for West Nile from Low to Medium. No human or animal cases of WNV or Eastern Equine Encephalitis have been detected so far this year.

WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. In 2014, there were six human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

Simple and effective precaution can be utilized to help decrease the risk of mosquito bites:

Practice the 5 Ds:

• DEET: Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)) or IR3535, according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
• DUSK AND DAWN: 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.
• DRESS: Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from the skin and help reduce mosquito bites
• DRAIN: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around a home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Protect Your Animals:

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires and wading pools - especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling (617) 626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling (617) 983-6800.

These simple steps in addition to mosquito proofing your home by installing or repairing screens will reduce you and your family's risk of exposure.

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at (617) 983-6800.