West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes from Wilmington

West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos in Wilmington, according to an announcement by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

WNV was detected in mosquitoes collected from Wilmington on Sept. 22 in the Dublin Avenue wetland area.

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.

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 Oct. 1, weather permitting.

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

On Tuesday Massachusetts health officials announced the state’s first West Nile virus-related death of the season on Tuesday. According to officials, the victim lived in Suffolk County, but they did not reveal an exact location.

The man, in his 60s, was hospitalized after contracting the virus, but later died. Officials said the man likely contracted the virus in the Suffolk County area.

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 or you can call the Wilmington Board of Health at 978-658-4298, orboh@wilmingtonma.gov.