A map of the Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project’s planned route to spray pesticides in Lowell’s Pawtucketville on Aug. 31, 2023 after West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes in the neighborhood. (Courtesy City of Lowell)
LOWELL — The Lowell Health Department announced Thursday they were notified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes collected in the area of Pawtucketville.
The announcement comes a day after state health officials announced the first two human cases of West Nile of the season in Massachusetts residents, one of which is a man in his 40s who was exposed somewhere in Middlesex County. The other was a woman in her 70s who was exposed in another part of the country.
“August and September are the months when most people are exposed to West Nile virus in Massachusetts,” Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein said in a statement. “Populations of mosquitoes that can carry and spread this virus are fairly large this year and we have seen recent increases in the number of WNV-positive mosquito samples from multiple parts of the Commonwealth.”
Last year there had been eight identified cases of West Nile in Massachusetts. The disease is most commonly spread through humans through the bite of a mosquito. People of all ages can be infected, but those over the age of 50 are at the greatest risk of severe disease, which can take the form of a fever and flu-like symptoms.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown said in the announcement of the first two human cases Aug. 29 that while summer is nearing its end, mosquitoes capable of carrying West Nile will persist for “several more months.”
“To avoid mosquito bites, use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, wear clothing to reduce exposed skin, drain standing water and repair window screens,” said Brown. “We also encourage everyone to regularly visit DPH’s mosquito-borne diseases web pages to stay informed on when and where WNV activity is occurring.”
The Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project will be in the Pawtucketville neighborhood Thursday to conduct preventative pesticide spraying.
In a time of year when mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent, residents are advised to apply insect repellant when going outdoors, wear longer sleeves and pants to limit the area of skin where mosquitoes can bite, and avoid going outdoors at dusk and dawn, as those times of day are when mosquitoes are most active. One can also mosquito-proof their home and property by draining any standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs and by installing screens for windows and doors, and making sure any existing screens are free of holes.
