West Nile virus spraying set for after sunset, up until midnight Friday

WORCESTER — West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in a part of Worcester, officials said Thursday morning.

The city division of public health and department of inspectional services will coordinate with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project to spray areas where the infected mosquitoes were found.

Spraying will occur after sunset up until midnight Friday on West Boylston Street, where the infected insects were found, stretching all the way to Burncoat Street, said Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, the city's medical doctor. The areas include parts of the Greendale and Burncoat neighborhoods.

"They're sending out a notification this evening. A robocall will go out to the affected areas that they want to spray," Hirsh said. "It's a spraying that's not done from the air. It's done from a truck, so it's very focused."

Residents are able to opt out of having their yards sprayed, but must request the exemption on the Massachusetts government website.

However, Hirsh said he recommends people allow their yard to get sprayed as it is "very safe" and doesn't have "long-term" carcinogenic effects.

The city provided guidance for residents whose yards are sprayed in the coming days:

• Close street-facing windows and keep pets inside between sunset and midnight if possible to allow a more thorough application. This type of pesticide is similar to ones used for flea and tick control.

• Remain inside during the application and for 15 to 20 minutes afterward.

• Accidental exposure is not expected to cause any health concerns in most people.

• No precautions are needed the day after the application as all residues will have evaporated.

• Residents with gardens are advised to wash off vegetables before consuming them.

• There is no need to cover pools as the spray is an oil-based product and will dissipate quickly.

• Any “outside air” controls on older window unit air conditioners should be turned off.

Although he recommends residents allow their yards to get sprayed, Hirsh said that if they choose to opt out, they can still help keep themselves and others safe by following the city's guidelines.

"If they maintain on their property, a watch over standing water and reduce it, they're contributing not just to their safety, but to their neighbor's safety," he said. "That's a definite tactic that they can use to contribute to fighting off these mosquitoes."

Infected mosquitoes transmit West Nile Virus to humans by their bite. The city said that, while the virus can effect all ages, those over 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.

Hirsh said that people who contract the virus will experience flu-like symptoms.

"(They should) make sure they're staying hydrated, take Tylenol, make sure that they are still able to eat and do everything normally," he said. "If they have symptoms beyond that, like if they develop severe headache or a stiff neck, they need to go to the emergency room."

While the virus won't lead to serious illness most of the time, Hirsh said, the risks become more severe for older and immunocompromised residents, who could develop symptoms such as neurologic issues.

Residents are encouraged to proof their home from mosquitoes by draining standing water, where mosquitoes lays eggs, and install or repair screens to prevent them from coming into homes.

To avoid infection, city officials encourage the practice of the "Five Ds" of prevention:

"Avoid being outdoors during DAWN and DUSK, when mosquitoes are most active; DRESS in long-sleeved clothing; use insect repellent with DEET; and DRAIN any standing water from around your home."

Hirsh said that mosquitoes also lay nests inside of clogged drains, bird baths and swimming pools, as well as old tires.

He said he encourages residents to make sure water in their pools and bird baths have movement in order to prevent mosquito larvae from having a chance to "propagate."

Residents will be able to have old tires collected when their yards undergo spraying this week, Hirsh said. If residents want officials to take old tires, he said they should make it clear when workers are coming around or contact the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project at (508) 393-3055 and put in a request to have the tire removed.

"They actually take the tires that they find this way and they recycle them in a plant that makes them into rubberized surfacing for playgrounds and other purposes," Hirsh said. "It's an environmentally-friendly program too."

He said that although people should practice caution and follow the recommendations to avoid contracting the virus, the city has not had a clinical case of it since 2018.

"We haven't had clinical case of triple E — Eastern Equine Encephalitis — which is the more serious of the mosquito-borne viruses, since 2015," Hirsh said. "I think our city is being kept safe from this problem by these mitigations."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: West Nile detected in area of city: Here's how to protect yourself