Health & Fitness
Fifth Worcester Mosquito Sample Positive For West Nile Virus, Spraying Schedule
No human cases have been detected and Worcester's West Nile virus risk level remains moderate.
WORCESTER, MA — A fifth mosquito sample in Worcester has tested positive for the West Nile Virus this week, prompting pesticide spraying in several city neighborhoods.
The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will conduct truck-mounted spraying Thursday, weather permitting, near the trap site where the positive sample was collected, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. No human cases have been detected and Worcester’s West Nile virus risk level remains moderate.
Worcester Streets Scheduled For Spraying
Spraying is scheduled for Arborwood Drive, Bangor Street, Bedford Avenue, Benham Street, Cohasset Street, Corrine Street, County Street, Elmire Avenue, Emile Street, Enid Street, Ernest Avenue, Grafton Street, Hilton Avenue, Hyannis Place, Inverness Avenue, Joseph Street, Lachapelle Street, Lamar Avenue, Lorenzo Street, Maranda Street, Marie Street, Marjorie Street, Maurice Street, Phoenix Street, Progressive Street, Renfrew Street, Revere Street, Roath Street, Rogers Street, Rudolph Street, Simone Street, Sunderland Road, Trahan Avenue, Travis Street, Valmor Street, Warner Avenue and Yvette Street.
Residents in the spraying area 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. Pets should be kept inside between sunset and midnight, while children should be kept away from spraying vehicles.
Homegrown vegetables should be washed before being eaten. Accidental exposure is not expected to cause health problems for most people or pets, although people with chemical sensitivities or conditions that could be aggravated by spraying should consult a physician, according to the city.
Property owners may request an exclusion from wide-area spraying by following instructions on the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources website.
The city will send neighborhood-specific spraying notices through email, social media and text messages. Residents can register or update their contact information through ALERTWorcester.
Health officials recommend using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when possible, avoiding outdoor activity around dawn and dusk and draining standing water from containers each week. Screens should also be installed or repaired to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms, although some experience fever or flu-like illness. Severe illness is rare, but people over age 50 face a higher risk of serious infection. Massachusetts reported nine human cases in 2025, according to the city.
