West Nile Virus Found In Brookline Mosquito Samples

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline health officials are urging residents to take extra measures against mosquito interaction after West Nile Virus was found in a mosquito sample taken in the town on Wednesday.

Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss said the risk level in Brookline is "low" but the town is adding larvicide to catch basins and some wetland areas to prevent mosquito hatching, and will continue to test mosquito samples to monitor the level of disease in the community.

"While the risk of contracting West Nile Virus in the town of Brookline remains low, we want to immediately share the results of mosquito testing from the Department of Public Health to make community members aware that West Nile Virus is present in our community," Reiss said. "I encourage all residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites, and to help us limit the mosquito population in town."

Those precautions include limiting outdoor activity at times such as dawn and dust when mosquito activity is high, using insect repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus, and wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks as the weather allows.

It also recommends removing any standing water that collects in flower pots, fire pits and other areas around the home that can be fertile breeding areas for the insects.

In Massachusetts, public health surveillance is done for two mosquito-borne viruses — West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The period of highest risk for either disease is late July until the first frost.

Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds. People and animals can get these diseases by being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Most people bitten by mosquitoes carrying WNV will experience no symptoms or very mild symptoms and will recover on their own. Persons over 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe WNV disease.