WORCESTER – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Wednesday, Aug. 21, that West Nile Virus (WNV) was detected in two mosquito samples in Worcester. The samples were gathered near Lantern Lake in Worcester.
The DPH announced earlier this month that it detected the first known human case of WNV in Massachusetts in 2024. The man is in his 40s and was exposed in Hampden County.
DPH also announced the first case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in an animal this year, in a horse in Plymouth. Both WNV and EEE are primarily spread by mosquitos.
DPH has not elevated its determination of the risk level of WNV to moderate in Worcester.
Worcester had four WNV positive mosquito samples and one human case identified in 2023. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of severe infection. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms, although some may experience fever, flu-like illness, and—in rare cases—more severe illness.
The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) scheduled a truck-mounted pesticide spraying in select areas of Worcester on Thursday, Aug.22, after sunset. If weather prevents spraying on Wednesday, CMMCP will spray on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Find maps of the area and the streets where spraying will occur at the bottom of this page.
Precautions to Take and Additional Information
Residents in the areas planned for spraying should take the following precautions.
- Close street-facing windows and turn off any “outside air” settings on air conditioners.
- Keep pets inside between sunset and midnight, and do not let children play near or behind truck-mounted applicators when they are in use.
- Remain inside during the application and for 15-20 minutes afterwards.
- Wash off any vegetables from home gardens after spraying and before consuming them.
Residents may opt-out of spraying of their property by visiting the Massachusetts state website.
To avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they can transmit, residents are encouraged to practice the 5 Ds:
- DRESS in long sleeves and pants when possible. Cover up during periods of mosquito activity.
- DEET is an effective insect repellent. Always follow the label instructions.
- DAWN & DUSK are mosquitoes’ most active periods.
- DRAIN water from containers weekly. Avoid standing water, such as rain collecting in open bins, buckets, or toys.
Clothing treated with insect repellent is also available, and permethrin—the repellent commonly used—can be applied to treat clothing manually. Installing and repairing screens will help to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
See the state website, or call the MDPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800, for more information from MDPH, including all WNV and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) positive results in the state,
If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report it to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to MDPH by calling 617-983-6800.
CMMCP offers a variety of services such as ditch maintenance and abandoned swimming pool treatment. Residents may access forms for all service requests on the CMMCP website, or call 508-393-3055, Monday through Friday between 7 AM – 3:30 PM.
Information about the products and Integrated Pest Management program used by the CMMCP is available at its website.
CMMCP also publishes is spraying schedules, and specific areas to be sprayed will be posted both on its website and phone system (508-393-3055) each day after 3:30 p.m.
The Assumption College campus will not be sprayed. Streets where spraying will occur are:
