2nd Case of West Nile Virus Detected in Worcester Mosquitos

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Thursday, September 03, 2015

GoLocalWorcester News Team

The Worcester Division of Public Health announced on Wednesday that West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos in Worcester for the second time this year. The infection was confirmed by the State Public Health Laboratory Tuesday in several mosquito samples which were collected on August 28 in several quadrants of the city.

The city of Worcester has now had mosquito samples test positive for West Nile Virus on two different days this summer. The previous test came on July 31.

The state department of public health has now raised Worcester's risk level for West Nile from low to medium.

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is normally transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

In 2014, there were six human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.