Monday, September 10, 2012
A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness.
As the summer starts to wind down and fall sports activities start to pick up, local and state health officials are urging residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites while spending time outdoors. Due to a recent uptick in cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Massachusetts as well as the state's first West Nile Virus-related death since 2005, state officials have raised the WNV threat level statewide to at least "moderate." A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Friday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this gentleman during this difficult …
Thursday, September 6, 2012
A Middlesex County woman in her 30s is the latest infected with West Nile Virus, according to the Massachusetts Health and Human Services Department. Nine human cases of West Nile Virus have been found in Massachusetts, compared to six in 2011.
A Middlesex County woman in her 30s is the latest infected by West Nile Virus, according to a press statement by the Massachusetts Health and Human Services Department. The woman is the most recent human case of West Nile Virus, according to the statement. Nine human cases of West Nile Virus have been found in Massachusetts, compared to six in 2011. “These results show that the threat of mosquito-borne illness remains a serious concern across the state,” said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria in the statement. “We need to continue to take steps to protect ourselves against mosquito bites: use insect repellant, cover up, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active.” Meanwhile, a …
Friday, August 31, 2012
Officials are urging the public to take precautions against the West Nile Virus.
Three more human cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Middlesex County, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In response, the DPH has raised the WNV threat level to "high" in the following communities: Chelsea, Everett, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere, Saugus and Winthrop. Earlier this week, DPH officials raised the threat level to "high" in Newton after a Newton woman was confirmed as having the state's fourth human case of WNV. Also, the threat level is being raised to "moderate" in other towns: Bedford, Burlington, Lincoln, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester and Woburn. WNV mosquito cases have been confirmed in 97 towns statewide this year and the state is on pace to having the highest number…
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
This is the fourth human case of West Nile Virus confirmed in the state.
Updated Aug. 30, 3:18 p.m. with more information from the city. The city's Health and Human Services Department issued a notice this afternoon regarding the West Nile Virus case found in Newton. The woman who was infected was briefly hospitalized and is now recovering at home, the press release said. “Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus have been detected in Newton since July,” said Health and Human Services Commissioner Dori Zaleznik in the press release. “We have been urging residents all summer to protect themselves against West Nile Virus, and this case only highlights the importance for us all to be vigilant about using insect repellent, minimizing outdoor activity between dusk and dawn, and practicing mosquito prevention at home.” “I …
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Over the last few weeks, mosquitoes with West Nile Virus have been detected in West Roxbury and Roslindale.
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Sunday, July 22, 2012
The following is a press release issued by the Newton Department of Health & Human Services: West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in two Newton mosquito pools, the City’s Health & Human Services Department announced Thursday. There have been no reports of human infection in Massachusetts so far this year. The mosquitoes were trapped in Oak Hill and Newton Centre, but residents should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites regardless of where they live. “This was not a surprise given the West Nile Virus positive samples collected in West Roxbury and Roslindale over the past few weeks,” said Dori Zaleznik, Newton’s Health and Human Services Commissioner. “We know the virus is here, and it is important for people to take precautions …
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Brookline Health Department confirms WNV-positive mosquitoes found near Brookline/West Roxbury town line.
The Brookline Health Department confirmed Thursday, July 19, that mosquitoes found in South Brookline near Chestnut Hill tested positive for West Nile Virus. According to a press release from the department, many people who are bitten may not show symptoms. People over 50 are at highest risk of illness. See the full press release for more information: On July 19, 2012 the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes collected in South Brookline near the West Roxbury line. This indicates that the virus may be present in mosquitoes throughout the Town. Mosquito-borne viruses are viruses that are carried and spread by mosquitoes. In this part of the country, public health …
Friday, July 13, 2012
West Nile Virus has been detected in a pool of mosquitoes collected in Boston, the Health Department reported.
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Friday, July 13, 2012
The following is a press release from the Newton Health & Human Services Department: West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in another pool of mosquitoes collected in Boston, the City’s Health & Human Services Department announced today. WNV positive mosquitoes were trapped in Roslindale last month and West Roxbury this week. No human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) infection have been reported this year. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection. “We know West Nile Virus is endemic in this part of Massachusetts, and finding West Nile Virus in mosquitoes is something we expect to see…
Friday, September 9, 2011
Health Commissioner Dori Zaleznik confirmed this afternoon that the man is "fairly sick."
A Newton man has contracted West Nile Virus, the city and Mass. Department of Public Health announced today. Dori Zaleznik, commissioner for the city's Department of Health & Human Services, told Newton Patch today that the man, who is in his 50s, is in the hospital and "fairly sick." Zaleznik clarified, though, that the man had some underlying health issues prior to contracting West Nile Virus (WNV). According to a press release issued by the city, this is the first confirmed 2011 West Nile Virus human case. There are not many known details of the case, but there are indications that the man could have been exposed to the virus outside of Newton, Zaleznik told Patch. However, Zaleznik said there is really no way of knowing where he …
Saturday, August 27, 2011
The city's Health and Human Services Department urges residents to stay safe and protect themselves against mosquito bites.
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Saturday, August 27, 2011
Earlier this year, West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes were found in West Roxbury as well as Brookline. The following is a press release from the Newton Health and Human Services Department: West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Newton, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced today. In 2010, 3,558 mosquito samples were tested for WNV and 121 samples were positive. This is the first positive mosquito pool identified in Newton this summer. However, several surrounding communities, such as West Roxbury and Brookline have already detected West Nile virus positive mosquitoes this summer, so the news was not a surprise, said Dori Zaleznik, the Newton Health & Human Services Department commissioner. …
leonore linsky
2:11 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Hope city is planning to check the swamp we pass though to enter the library more ›