BOSTON — The Boston Public Health Commission announced Tuesday that West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Boston for the first time this year.
The presence of the virus was confirmed Tuesday by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in a mosquito sample collected on July 9 in Brighton.
No human or animal cases of West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis have been detected so far this year in Boston.
Officials say it’s nothing to be alarmed about, especially now, they just want everyone to take precautions while outdoors.
“You have to tip your hat to the dept. of public health in Massachusetts for being in the mix of this pandemic, SARS, coronavirus, and still keep up their surveillance to these other threats,” said Dr. Asim Ahmed.
Ahmed is an innovation and digital health accelerator at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Doctors say if someone is bitten by an infected mosquito, it can cause a fever, and other flu like symptoms, which is even more alarming for people as we are in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
“There are some studies that suggest, that the older and the younger groups are more susceptible. It’s such a rare disease that it’s tough to draw dramatic conclusions,” said Ahmed.
Health officials say there is no evidence that the coronavirus can be spread by mosquitos or other insects that can bite.
“It’s an incidental thing that the mosquito transmits it to humans. There is really no robust transmission from humans,” said Ahmed.
Officials from the health commission say, people should check their door and window screens to make sure mosquitoes can’t get in.
“Limit one’s activity if you can... Some of these mosquitoes like feeding at dawn and dusk,” said Ahmed.
Health experts also suggest wearing protective clothing, using bug spray, and getting rid of any standing water near your home – because that’s where mosquitoes like to lay their eggs.
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