West Nile Virus Found In Marlborough Mosquito Sample

MARLBOROUGH, MA — State health officials this week detected West Nile Virus in a mosquito sample taken on the west side of Marlborough, the first such instance of the rare but potentially serious disease so far this summer in the city.

One sample taken July 19 tested positive, according to the state Department of Public Health. The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project was planning to spray Thursday night in a residential area roughly between Boston Post Road, Millham Street and Bigelow Street. The truck-mounted spraying will happen Friday night in case of adverse weather.

"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," city officials said in a news release.

The risk of human WNV in the Marlborough area was still rated "low" as of Thursday, according to DPH. The Marlborough sample is one of four that have tested positive in Middlesex County this summer. Natick and Wayland have both had confirmed positive samples.

The positive Marlborough sample is among 27 found so far this summer across Massachusetts. The state has also confirmed 14 positive Eastern Equine Encephalitis samples in mosquitoes so far this summer, but all have been found in Plymouth County.