Health & Fitness
West Nile Found Again In Worcester's Burncoat Area
Mosquito spraying will take place Thursday near where the West Nile sample was found.
WORCESTER, MA — A mosquito trapped in Worcester's Burncoat neighborhood has tested positive for West Nile virus, the second positive sample in that neighborhood so far this summer.
In response, the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will conduct a round of mosquito spraying on Thursday night. The spraying will begin near 8 p.m. in an area around Burncoat Street, West Boylston Street, Quinapoxet Lane and East Mountain Street. See a map of the spraying area here.
City health officials are advising residents in the spraying area to generally avoid being outdoors when spraying occurs, and to close windows and doors.
A mosquito previously tested positive for West Nile in the Burncoat area in mid-August. So far this summer, six Massachusetts residents have tested positive for West Nile. About 114 mosquitos have tested positive for the virus, which often does not cause symptoms, but can lead to a flu-like illness that is deadly in rare cases.
Health officials also warned Worcester residents to take precautions against mosquito bites. Those include wearing pants and long sleeves, using repellent that contains DEET and staying indoors during prime mosquito hours at dawn and dusk.
