West Nile Virus Hits Boston: Health Officials

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — Tis the season: A mosquito pool in Jamaica Plain tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Boston Public Health Commission announced Friday. Although there have been no recorded human cases of mosquito-borne illnesses in Boston this year, the commission advises residents to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito-proof their homes.

“It is typical to find West Nile Virus in Boston at this time of year due to the periods of hot weather,” said the health commission Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Lo in a statement. “This does not mean the average person is at increased risk of getting [West Nile Virus]. However, people should still take simple precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”

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The virus is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus, but it poses very low risk to most people. In 2017, there were no human cases of the virus infection diagnosed in Boston residents. While West Nile Virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease, according to the commission.

Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.

The risk can be reduced by using insect repellant when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn and, when possible, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, say officials.

Another tip is to make sure your window and door screens don't have any rips or tears, to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside. To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding, the commission advises residents to empty standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.

The City of Boston, in partnership with the Suffolk County Mosquito Control Project, has placed larvicide in catch basins and wetlands, a process designed to reduce the mosquito population. Targeted, truck-mounted aerosol spraying is also performed to help control the mosquito population in certain areas of Boston.

Did you know?
Mosquitoes can begin to multiply in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days. Mosquito breeding sites can be anywhere. Take action to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood. Organize a neighborhood clean up day to pick up containers from vacant lots and parks and to encourage people to keep their yards free of standing water. Mosquitoes don't care about fences, so it's important to remove areas of standing water throughout the neighborhood.

For more information on mosquito-borne illness, call the Boston Public Health Commission at (617) 534-5611 or visit bphc.org/mbi.

Previously on Patch

West Nile Virus Hits MA: First Positive Test Health Officials

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