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BROOKLINE – Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss and the Brookline Department of Public Health report that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced that a second human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in the Greater Boston area.
As a result, the risk level for Brookline has increased from moderate to “high”. Residents are urged to take the necessary precautions against mosquito bites and to be aware of the risks of mosquito-borne illnesses. Persons over 50 years of age or those who are immune compromised should adjust outdoor activities to avoid peek mosquito hours, from dusk to dawn.
In Massachusetts, public health surveillance is performed for two mosquito-borne viruses — West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The risk of contracting either disease is highest from late July through the fall, until the first frost.
Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds. People and animals can contract these diseases by being bitten by an infected mosquito. There is no evidence that a person will get these viruses from handling live or dead infected birds or animals. However, gloves should be worn when handling any dead animals, and double plastic bags used to discard them in the trash.
Most people bitten by mosquitoes carrying WNV will experience no symptoms or very mild symptoms, and will recover on their own. Persons over 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe WNV disease.
The Brookline Department of Public Health is involved in active surveillance for mosquito-borne viruses. Mosquito collecting and testing, which provide a more reliable indication of current WNV activity, began in early July.
The Town of Brookline will be doing the following to address this issue:
The Brookline Department of Public Health offers the following tips:
Anyone with questions should contact the Brookline Department of Public Health at 617-730-2300.
Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV activity in Massachusetts can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website.
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