Mosquito In Wakefield Tests Positive For West Nile Virus

WAKEFIELD, MA — A mosquito sample taken from Wakefield on Tuesday tested positive for West Nile virus, according to a statement from the town.

The state public health department recently added 9 Massachusetts towns to its "high risk" category for the virus. Two new human cases were recently reported as well in Suffolk County and Norfolk County.

See related: 2 New Human West Nile Virus Cases; Brookline, Newton Added To High-Risk List

Most people who contract West Nile do not develop any symptoms. However, about 1 in 5 infected people develop a high fever and other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

The majority of people with the virus who develop a febrile illness recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. Approximately 1 in 150 people develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system such as meningitis or encephalitis. Of those who experience severe illness, a small number may die or develop permanent side effects.

People over age 60 or those with certain medical conditions are at greater risk of developing a severe illness from West Nile.

The Wakefield Health and Human Services Department is asking residents to take steps to avoid mosquito bites, including the following:

• Use an insect repellant with an EPA-registered ingredient like DEET, picardin, or permethrin. Carefully follow instructions on the label, especially when using on children.
• When outdoors, wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and socks to keep mosquitos away from your skin.
• Avoid scheduling outdoor events between dusk and dawn when mosquitos are most active.
• Repair any holes in your door and window screens and make sure they are tightly attached to prevent mosquitos from coming into the house.
• Remove areas of standing water around your home, including plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows. Mosquitos can begin to multiply in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than 4 days.
• Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
• Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated. Remove water collected in pool covers.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.

If you have questions or would like to contact Wakefield’s Health and Human Services Department, call (781) 246-6375. You can also read about the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (https://sudbury.ma.us/emmcp), which services Wakefield and surrounding communities.