Springfield mosquito tested positive for West Nile Virus

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that a positive sample of West Nile Virus (WNV) was detected from mosquitoes in Springfield this week.

The sample tested positive for WNV on Monday. Despite the latest testing, the risk level of the virus remains low in Springfield.

So far, a total of 74 samples of mosquitoes have tested positive for WNV.

1. Brookline 7/2
2. Pittsfield (4) 7/7, 7/18, 8/8, 8/9
3. Worcester (2) 7/7, 7/20
4. West Springfield (3) 7/14, 7/21, 8/16
5. Boston (2) 7/18, 8/15
6. Haverhill 7/24
7. Watertown (6) 7/25
8. Hadley 7/26
9. South Hadley (2) 7/26, 8/16
10. Burlington 8/1
11. Waltham 8/1
12. Quincy 8/2
13. Holyoke 8/3
14. Stoneham 8/7
15. Woburn 8/7
16. Halifax (3) 8/7, 8/15, 8/21
17. Kingston (2) 8/7, 8/17
18. Easton (2) 8/8, 8/21
19. Raynham (2) 8/8, 8/14
20. Framingham 8/8
21. Wellesley 8/8
22. Middleborough (2) 8/8, 8/14
23. Granby 8/9
24. Richmond 8/10
25. Chelmsford 8/10
26. Northbridge 8/10
27. Norton 8/15
28. East Longmeadow 8/16
29. Quincy 8/16
30. Milford 8/16
31. Pembroke 8/17
32. Springfield 8/21
33. Brookline 8/21
34. Carver 8/21

Tips to avoid mosquito bites:

• Avoid spending extended periods of time outdoors from dusk to dawn – the time when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long clothing to keep mosquitoes away from your skin
• Use EPA-approved insect repellents.
• Make sure screens in windows and doors fit properly and there are no holes.
• Regularly empty out and clean bird baths, unused flower pots, and other containers that may keep standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. 
• Regularly clean out gutters

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it, just keeping yourself safe from mosquito’s, avoiding the peak times when mosquito’s are active which is dawn and dusk. There’s a couple that bite during the day but for the most part staying away from shady area’s, wearing long sleeves, long pants closed toed shoes, long socks… all that stuff,” said Natasha Wright, an entomologist with Braman.

Most people who are infected do not experience any symptoms of illness but those that do often experience a headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and body aches. In most of these cases the individual with mild symptoms will recover on their own after a few days or several weeks.

HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris states, “Although the risk of catching West Nile virus remains low, it is important for our residents to be aware of this finding that we now have a confirmed case of a mosquito testing positive for West Nile virus.  Previously, in Western Massachusetts, there were also positive case reported in East Longmeadow, South Hadley, and West Springfield, so this positive test of a mosquito here in Springfield is not a surprise to the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services.  Most people who are infected do not experience any symptoms of illness.  Those that do often experience a headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and body aches.  Although in most cases the individual with mild symptoms will recover on their own after a few days or several weeks.  It is still important to check in with your primary care giver.”

Mayor Sarno states, “Even though the risk of West Nile virus remains low, HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and I feel that it is important to share with our residents that there was a mosquito that tested positive for the virus.  We want to encourage residents to be mindful and take the proper precautions when out in the evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.  Proper clothing, EPA-approved bug spray and removing any container that might hold standing water will all help to reduce the risk and spread of mosquitoes.”