Brookline Now At High Risk For West Nile Virus

BROOKLINE, MA — The Town Of Brookline is now considered at high risk for West Nile Virus (WNV) and is sharing a list of safety tips with residents to help prevent this disease.

Although WNV has not been detected in Brookline, the risk level has been elevated in communities in Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk Counties due to increasing viral activity, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Mosquitos, which spread diseases including WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are most prevalent from May to August, but remain active until the first frost.

WNV was first detected in Massachusetts in 1938 and can cause illness ranging from mild fever to more serious diseases such as encephalitis or meningitis. The most recent outbreak began in 2019 and included a total of 17 reported cases with seven fatalities.

The Brookline Department of Public Health (DPH) encourages residents to abide by the following tups for preventing WNV:

• Use insect repellent with DEET any time you are outdoors. Be sure to follow the application directions on the label.
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours, which are generally from dusk to dawn. Residents who are ages 50 and older, or those who are immunocompromised, should limit outdoor activities from dusk to dawn.
• Wear protective clothing when outdoors during peak mosquito hours such as long sleeves, long pants, high socks, hats with netting to cover the face, and any other clothing that will cover exposed skin.
• Use mosquito netting around baby carriages or child playpens when your baby is outdoors.
• Make sure screens are repaired and are tightly attached to doors and windows.
• Remove standing water from places such as puddles, ditches, bird baths and gutters, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

To view Massachusetts DPH risk maps, click here. More WNV prevention tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are available here.