Health & Fitness
More Worcester Mosquitoes Test For WNV, Spraying Scheduled
At this time, no human cases were detected, and the city's WNV risk remains moderate.
WORCESTER, MA — Another group of mosquitoes in Worcester has tested positive for the West Nile Virus this week.
The WNV has been detected in mosquitoes collected from a trap site in the city, resulting in scheduled truck-mounted pesticide spraying on Thursday in the general area where the case was reported. This marks the fourth mosquito sample positive for the virus in 2026.
At this time, no human cases were detected, and the city's WNV risk remains moderate, officials said.
The streets include Bailin Drive, Balis Avenue, Blithewood Avenue, Blithewood Terrace, Brierway Drive, Broome Avenue, Dolly Drive, Dupuis Avenue, Echo Street, Egan Avenue, Greenhalge Street, Hickory Hill Estate, Ida Road, Ivy Street, Julien Avenue, Kelsey Drive, Marissa Circle, Massasoit Road, McClintock Avenue, Midgley Lane, Minerva Street, Miscoe Road, Myrna Road, Rolfe Avenue, Sandra Drive, Sprague Lane, Tamar Avenue, Woodcliffe Avenue and Zoar Street.
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.
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.
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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