Health & Fitness
State Confirms West Nile Virus Case In Burlington
The mosquitoes were collected on Aug. 15; the state has since raised the West Vile risk throughout the region.
BURLINGTON, MA -- Mosquitos collected in Burlington tested positive for West Nile virus, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said Wednesday. The mosquitos were collected on August 15. No transmission to humans have been reported.
West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by bites from mosquitos commonly found throughout Massachusetts. While about 75% of the people infected with West Nile experience no symptoms, about 20% of people develop a fever, headache, vomiting, or a rash. In rare cases the infection can be fatal. The virus is particularly dangerous for people over the age of 50.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health posted the following reminders on preventing mosquito bites:
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- Use insect repellents
- Wear long-sleeved clothing
- Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours around dawn and dusk
- Repair damaged window screens
- Remove standing water from the areas around your home
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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.
Find out what's happening in Burlingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).
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