Mosquitoes Test Positive For West Nile Virus In 19 Mass. Communities
BOSTON (CBS/AP) – A number of mosquitoes around the state are testing positive for West Nile Virus, health officials said.
With several new cases reported in the past few days, infected mosquitoes have turned up in 19 different Massachusetts communities so far this year.
Read: Guide To Protecting Yourself Against West Nile Virus And EEE
Those communities include Abington, Belmont, Boston, Burlington, Fall River, Falmouth, Lynn, Newbury, Pittsfield, Reading, Rockland, Rowley, Sharon, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, West Bridgewater, Westport and Whitman.
More than half of those positive test results have come in the past ten days.
The Department of Public Health said no human cases of West Nile Virus or Eastern equine encephalitis have been detected so far this year.
The bite of an infected mosquito usually transmits West Nile Virus to humans. People older than 50 are at higher risk for severe disease.
Thirty-three West Nile Virus cases were detected in Massachusetts residents last year.
Health officials urge residents to cover up, use bug spray and avoid mosquito bites.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
