Mosquito Disease West Nile Virus Risk Increased to Moderate in 10 SE Massachusetts Counties – Now is NOT the Time to Stop Worrying About Mosquito Bites

A total of seven human cases of West Nile virus have been identified in Massachusetts this year. Six of those seven cases have presented with meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, or other neurological illness. These are very serious symptoms that can have detrimental outcomes for the patient. One of these human cases occurred in Bristol County.

In our area, ten cities have been identified as having the risk for West Nile Virus (WNV) elevated to MODERATE. If you are in or near these cities, please take extra precautions from now until temperatures drop into the 50s consistently to avoid mosquito bites.

1. Rehoboth
2. Dighton
3. Swansea
4. Fall River
5. Seekonk
6. Somerset
7. Bridgewater
8. Halifax
9. Plympton
10. East Bridgewater

Avoid Mosquito Bites Especially Those Over Age 50

September is the month when most human cases of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus occur. It is always advisable for everyone to step up mosquito bite avoidance measures for the last few months of the season due to WNV, EEE, and other mosquito diseases.

However, if you are over the age of 50 or have an immune-compromising condition, you need to take it even more seriously. Individuals who fit this category are at a much greater risk for severe disease from a WNV infection.

Neurological Illness from West Nile Virus

While about 80% of those infected will have no symptoms, about 1% of those who do show symptoms of West Nile virus end up with neurological illness. Of those, about 10% will die from the disease. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for WNV, so avoiding mosquito bites is the best method of prevention.

In addition to personal repellant sprays and wearing long sleeves, you can reduce mosquitoes on your own property with service from Mosquito Squad of Southeastern Massachusetts. Our mosquito control treatment can reduce mosquitoes by 85-90%. Call today – it’s never too late to reduce mosquitoes in your yard.