West Nile Virus Found In Worcester County: Health Officials

BLACKSTONE, MA — State health officials have confirmed the latest instance of West Nile virus in mosquitoes of the season in southern Worcester County.

The state Department of Public Health told Blackstone health officials that mosquitoes captured in the southeastern corner of the town tested positive for the disease recently. The first positive sample of the season was found in Quincy in early July.

According to DPH, West Nile has been found in mosquito samples in 10 places across the state since the initial Quincy sample. The virus has also been detected in Clinton in Worcester County.

As of Tuesday, every part of the state was rated as a "low" risk of contracting West Nile, according to DPH. That's the second step in a four-step risk level system. Last season, six people in Massachusetts contracted West Nile. Mosquitoes spread the potentially serious virus through bites.

The Central Mass Mosquito Control Project is planning to spray the area in Blackstone where the sample was found on Friday evening. The area includes a portion of town between Harris Pond and the Blackstone River.