West Nile virus risk level raised in Worcester after more mosquitoes test positive

Marco Cartolano, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
·2 min read

WORCESTER — West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes that were collected in two Worcester trap sites, one around Rural Cemetery and one located near Chilmark Street, the city said Tuesday.

The state Department of Public Health has elevated the city's West Nile virus risk level to moderate; however, no human cases have been detected in the city at this time.

Separately on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that the first human case of West Nile virus of this year has been confirmed, in a man who lives in Hampden County.

West Nile virus had previously been detected around Rural Cemetery in July.

The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project has scheduled truck-mounted pesticide applications Wednesday after 8:30 p.m. where the insects were found if weather permits. The rescheduling date would be Thursday.

Nearby residents can opt out of having their property sprayed by following instructions on the state Department of Agricultural Resources website.

The following streets are in the Rural Cemetery areas:

Briden Street, Lexington Street, Rural Drive, Brookfield Street, Magnolia Avenue, Sagamore Road, Byron Street, Milton Street, Sigourney Street, East Boundary Avenue, Moran Court, South Boundary Avenue, Edgeworth Street, Nashua Street, South East Avenue, Faraday Street, North Boundary Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, Fern Avenue, North East Avenue, Upper Avenue, Garden Street, North Street, Washburn Way, Grove Street, Powers Court, West Boundary Avenue, Humboldt Avenue, Prescott Street, West Circular Avenue, Lancaster Street, Redding Court, Woodside Avenue, Lancaster Terrace and Rumford Avenue

The following are in the Chillmark Street spray area:

Adams Street, Draper Street, Hecla Street, Oleum Court, Albany Street, East Central Street, Henry Street, Plum Street, Berkeley Street, East Park Terrace, Imperial Place, Putnam Lane, Camassa Terrace, East Shelby Street, Imperial Road, Risso Court, Caprera Road, East Worcester Street, Johnson Street, Seward Street, Casco Street, Elliott Street, Laraia Street, Shamrock Street, Chilmark Court, Ellsmere Street, Lyon Place, Shrewsbury Street, Chilmark Street, Envelope Terrace, Lyon Street, Ventura Road, Creston Street, Fantasia Drive, Marshall Street, Verdi Road, Cross Street, Gage Street, Muskeego Street, Waite Street, DeMarco Terrace, Granby Road, Nebraska Street, Wilson Street

Residents in those areas are advised to take the following precautions

  • Close street-facing windows and turn off any outside air settings on air conditioners.

  • Keep pets inside between sunset and midnight. Children should also not play near or behind truck-mounted applicators when in use.

  • Remain inside during the application for the following 15-20 minutes.

  • Wash off any vegetables from home gardens after the spraying.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: West Nile virus risk level raised in Worcester