West Nile Virus Found in Medford Mosquitoes

– Allison Goldsberry

Story updated 9PM 8/2/07

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced today that a batch of Medford mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile Virus.

According to David Henley, Superintendent for the Eastern Middlesex Mosquito Control Project, it’s not uncommon to find mosquitoes with West Nile Virus in Medford.  The mosquitoes, more likely to bite birds than humans, tend to dwell in tree canopies high above the ground in search of birds. 

Mosquitoes contract the virus after biting an infected bird and could potentially transmit the virus to a person.

Henley said the Mosquito Control Project recently treated 3,000 storm drains and catch basins in the city since mosquitoes tend to breed in water-holding containers.  They also plan on treating Medford’s wetlands with hand-held sprays.

Medford joined the Mosquito Control Project in 2003 after four people contracted West Nile Virus in 2002 and 2003.  None of the cases were fatal though there was one fatal case in Malden.

“Recent reports of isolations of West Nile Virus and EEE should serve as a warning that mosquitoes pose a health threat between now and early October.  Althought the chance of acquiring WNV or EEE is remote, residents should be aware that these mosquito-borne viruses could cause fever, meningitis, or encephalitis,” Henley wrote in a statement to the media.

Medford Director of Public Health Karen Rose said some of the people who contracted the virus in the past might have gotten it outside of Medford.  She said people should continue to take normal precautions against mosquitoes, including getting rid of standing water, using DEET spray, and wearing long-sleeves.

Henley said mosquitoes are most active during cloudy, humid days and at dawn, dusk, and night hours, and people should use repellant during those times.

See the Department of Public Health’s website for more tips on how to protect against mosquitoes.