State’s first West Nile virus-positive mosquito of the 12 months present in Berkshires
Well being
“With hotter climate and summer time formally starting this week, it’s the time of 12 months once we sometimes start detecting West Nile virus in mosquito populations,” a public well being official stated.
Massachusetts mosquitoes examined constructive for West Nile virus in a Clarksburg lab, making it the primary case of the 12 months, well being officers stated.
“With hotter climate and summer time formally starting this week, it’s the time of 12 months once we sometimes start detecting West Nile virus in mosquito populations,” stated Public Well being Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD.
Whereas testing a June 16 batch of mosquitos for sure illnesses, researchers found the bugs contained the West Nile virus, the Massachusetts Division of Public Well being stated in a press launch.
West Nile virus is transmitted to people by way of the chunk of contaminated mosquitos. In 2025, 9 folks contracted the virus, DPH stated.
As of June 25, no human or animal has been identified with the virus within the state, well being officers stated.
Anybody is vulnerable to contracting West Nile virus, however these older than 50 have the next danger for “extreme illness,” the DPH stated.
Nearly all of contaminated sufferers expertise no signs. However those that are unfortunate are inclined to expertise fever and flu-like signs, the DPH stated.
“With West Nile virus, it’s troublesome to foretell the quantity of exercise we’ll see,” stated State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown.
Brown advises the general public to constantly test mosquito-borne illnesses webpages on mass.gov.
The DPH advises the general public to use insect repellent containing components resembling DEET, when outdoors.
DEET shouldn’t be used on infants beneath two months outdated and must be utilized in concentrations of 30 p.c or much less, well being officers wrote.
The general public must also mosquito proof their houses. Public well being officers advise not having standing water close by or in your house, as mosquitos lay their eggs in nonetheless water, the DPH stated.
Animal homeowners ought to empty out buckets, tires, or wading swimming pools, notably when it rains, officers stated.
“Horse homeowners ought to maintain horses in indoor stalls at night time to scale back their danger of publicity to mosquitoes,” well being officers wrote.
Public officers additionally warned the general public of Jap Equine Encephalitis (EEE). No mosquitos carrying the virus have been detected as of Thursday, the DPH stated.
Well being officers advise horse homeowners to make use of mosquito repellent on horses which can be vet permitted.
“If an animal is suspected of getting WNV or EEE, homeowners are required to report back to the Division of Agricultural Assets, Division of Animal Well being by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Division of Public Well being by calling 617-983-6800,” officers wrote.
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