West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes from Wilmington

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Wilmington, Massachusetts on August 7, 2018 in the Suncrest Avenue wetland area of Wilmington. 

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state, and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection. 

The Wilmington Board of Health would like to remind residents that by taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

• Using insect repellents
• Wearing long-sleeved clothing
• Scheduling outdoor activities to avoid the hours around dawn and dusk
• Repairing damaged window screens
• Removing standing water from the areas around your home

Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control conducts routing spraying in the evening if the weather is above 50 degrees, weather permitting, with additional spraying to be done on Thursday evening August 16, 2018, weather permitting. 

Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito, http://www.mosquitoresults.com or you can call the Board of Health at 978-658-4298, or email boh@wilmingtonma.gov.