West Nile Found In New Part Of Worcester, Follows First EEE Sample

WORCESTER, MA — A mosquito sample collected in a more central Worcester neighborhood tested positive for West Nile virus, the first time this summer the potentially serious virus has been confirmed in a different part of the city.

Worcester has had positive West Nile mosquito samples multiple times this summer, but those samples all came from the northern end of the Burncoat neighborhood. The sample collected this week was found in Grafton Hill.

The new sample follows the detection last week in Worcester County of the first Eastern Equine Encephalitis mosquito sample in the state since 2020. The sample collected in a mosquito trapped in Douglas raised the EEE threat level in southern Worcester County to "moderate."

The risk of human West Nile infection in Worcester is still "low," according to the state Department of Public Health.

Massachusetts recently confirmed the first two human cases of West Nile virus so far this summer. To guard against both viruses, state health officials are advising residents to take safety measures like using bug spray containing DEET, treating clothes with permethrin, avoiding peak mosquito hours around dawn and dusk and wearing pants and long sleeves. Homeowners should also drain standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Mosquito season typically ends with the first hard frost of the season, which could happen as early as October. Extra mosquito spraying was scheduled for the Grafton Hill area on Thursday night, weather permitting.