WORCESTER – West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in Worcester, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health.
No human cases of West Nile have been reported.
On Tuesday, August 6, the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project [CMMCP] will spray a designated area around Plantation St. and Hamilton St. after sunset and up until midnight.
See the spray map here.
The following are spray precautions from the City of Worcester for residents in the spray area:
- Close street facing windows and keep pets inside between sunset and midnight if possible to allow a more thorough application. This type of pesticide is similar to ones used for flea and tick control.
- Remain inside during the application and for 15-20 minutes afterwards.
- Accidental exposure is not expected to cause any health concerns in most people.
- No precautions are needed the day after the application as all residues will have evaporated.
- Residents with gardens are advised to wash off vegetables before consuming them.
- There is no need to cover pools as the spray is an oil-based product and will dissipate quickly.
- Any “outside air” controls on older window unit air conditioners should be turned off.
Residents have the ability to opt out of spraying in front of their property by visiting this link on the state’s website. Residents wanting to opt out of the spraying program should do so online as soon as possible.
A fact sheet from the state on ground spraying of mosquitoes for West Nile Virus is available here.
West Nile is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. While West Nile can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
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