WORCESTER, MA — A third mosquito sample collected in Worcester has tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting pesticide spraying in part of the city Tuesday.
The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will conduct truck-mounted spraying Aug. 4, weather permitting, near the site where the infected mosquito was collected, according to the city. No human cases have been detected, but the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has raised Worcester's West Nile virus risk level to moderate.
Additional spraying is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 11, 18 and 25. The dates may change because of weather, mosquito populations, virus activity or requests for special-event spraying.
The city will notify residents in affected neighborhoods through email, text messages and social media.
Mosquito control spraying is scheduled to take place on the following streets: Beaver Brook Parkway, Becket Street, Circuit Avenue East, Circuit Avenue North, Clive Street, Columbus Street, Dewar Drive, Enfield Street, Englewood Avenue, Fairfield Street, Ferdinand Street, Fern Street, Friedel Street, Genoa Street, Hiscox Street, Hobson Avenue, Isabella Street, Lisbon Street, Lovell Drive, Lovell Street, Lovell Terrace, Maple Tree Lane, May Street, Maybrook Place, Mayfair Street, Maywood Street, Minthorne Street, Northridge Street, Park Avenue, Pembroke Street, Roy Street, Stevens Road, Thayer Street, Vineyard Street, West Oberlin Street, Westfield Street, Wharton Street and Willow Street.
Residents can register for ALERTWorcester to receive local notifications. Property owners can also request an exclusion from wide-area pesticide applications through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Residents in areas being sprayed should close street-facing windows, turn off outside-air settings on air conditioners and remain indoors during the application and for 15 to 20 minutes afterward, according to the city. Pets should be kept inside between sunset and midnight and children should stay away from pesticide trucks.
Homegrown vegetables should be washed after spraying and before they are eaten.
Most accidental exposure is not expected to cause health problems, according to the city. People with chemical sensitivities or health conditions that could be aggravated by spraying should consult a physician.
West Nile virus can infect people of any age, but people over 50 face a higher risk of severe illness. Most infected people do not develop symptoms, while others may experience fever or flu-like illness. Severe illness is rare.
Nine human cases were reported in Massachusetts in 2025, according to the city. Worcester has also recorded virus-positive mosquito samples in the last few weeks, including a second positive sample.
Health officials recommend using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when possible and limiting outdoor activity around dawn and dusk. Residents should also empty standing water from buckets, bins, toys and other containers each week.
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