Health & Fitness
West Nile Virus Found In Mosquitos Collected In Beverly
The state found the virus in 290 mosquitos in a sample of 5,496 mosquitos collected last month.
BEVERLY, MA -- Mosquitos collected in Beverly tested positive for West Nile virus, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said Friday. Of the 5,496 mosquitos collected by the state, 290 tested positive for the virus. No transmission to humans have been reported.
West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by bites from mosquitos commonly found throughout Massachusetts. While about 75% of the people infected with West Nile experience no symptoms, about 20% of people develop a fever, headache, vomiting, or a rash. In rare cases the infection can be fatal. The virus is particularly dangerous for people over the age of 50.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health posted the following reminders on preventing mosquito bites:
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- Use insect repellents
- Wear long-sleeved clothing
- Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours around dawn and dusk
- Repair damaged window screens
- Remove standing water from the areas around your home
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