West Nile Virus Detected in New Bedford Mosquito Sample

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito sample recently collected in New Bedford.

Where Was West Nile Virus Found?

According to a release from the City of New Bedford, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified the City today that West Nile was found in a mosquito sample taken in the area of Oak Grove Cemetery.

The sample was from a mosquito species that primarily bites birds. According to the MassDPH website, the positive sample was collected on July 30.

New Bedford Still at Low Risk for Mosquito-Born Diseases

The New Bedford area has been deemed low risk ,for both West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), two diseases often transmitted by mosquitos.

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Spraying and Prevention Efforts

“Recommended preventative measures include wearing mosquito repellent between dusk and dawn, wearing long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn, and using mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens,” according to the City release.

The Bristol County Mosquito Project will conduct additional targeted ground spraying early Thursday in the area of Oak Grove Cemetery. This is in addition to the normal weekly ground spraying that occurs each Thursday during the season.

Massachusetts' West Nile and EEE Cases This Season

So far this summer, there have been 65 positive mosquito tests for West Nile in Massachusetts, including five others in Bristol County: one in Swansea on July 2, Norton on July 22, Attleboro on July 25, Taunton on July 30 and Swansea again on July 31. The only other SouthCoast community with a positive sample was Marion on July 24.

There have been no human cases of West Nile in the Commonwealth this season, and only one animal case.

There have only been three positive mosquito samples for EEE this season: in Belchertown on July 21, Bridgewater on July 22 and Raynham on July 29. There have been no animal or human cases this year.