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Public health nurse Kayla Donnelly-Winters provided the Board of Health with updated numbers regarding diseases on Wednesday.

Pittsfield Raises Concerns Over Rise in Tick-Borne Illnesses

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Health Department has expressed concern with a growing number of cases of tick-borne illnesses.
 
Public health nurse Kayla Donnelly-Winters cited rising numbers of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA)and Lyme disease over the last three years. In 2014, she said there were 15 cases of HGA and 51 cases of Lyme. In 2016, the number of HGA was up to 17 and 82 for Lyme. This year, the number of cases of HGA is already at 25 and there have been 74 cases of Lyme. 
 
"Until the ground freezes, we're still going to see these cases," she said. 
 
Anaplasmosis is potentially fatal if not treated properly if only for less than 1 percent of those infected. It can lead to difficulty breathing, hemorrhages, and renal failure. Lyme disease can cause fatigue, fevers and chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. It can spread to the nervous system and heart.
 
The numbers show a steady uptick over years and Donnelly-Winters says such diseases are typically underreported. Board of Health member Dr. Alan Kulberg said the actual number of cases is historically underreported.
 
"I think we've been underreporting for years. You see a case, you take care of it," he said.
 
Board of Health member Steve Smith questioned whether the percentage of cases being underreported has changed over the years or if there are actually more cases. He added that he has noticed more ticks this year than in years past.
 
Donnelly-Winters said she interviews people with HGA and has found that many didn't even realize they were bitten by a tick. That shows that many people are not properly checking for ticks or not checking at all. She said she has been on many forums and in meetings with groups to help educate the public on the best ways to avoid ticks and what to do if one is found. 
 
"When you look at the numbers it is really critically important," Health Director Gina Armstrong said.
 
And this isn't the first time the city has raised concern about the increasing numbers. Back in 2015, then Public Health Nurse Deborah Rice reported a similar rise in numbers. 
 
In other business, the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project will be spraying a one-mile radius around the Route 41 and Route 20 intersection — the roads of 41 to the Richmond line, Route 20 to Callahan Drive, Cloverdale and Branch Streets, Southpond Drive, Thistledown, Scace, Sunny Croft, and Windmer — Thursday night from 10 p.m. until midnight. 
 
The spraying is in response ot the presence of West Nile virus which was found in a collection. Armstrong said the positive findings, added to high population numbers and the presence of mosquito species which are more likely to have the disease led to the call for a spraying. 
 
 "It is very limited and just because of the sustained activity in that area," Armstrong said.
 
The virus is found just about every year since the project began collecting and testing for the disease in mosquito populations. The use of truck-mounted sprays had previously come under scrutiny from numerous city residents claiming the sprays were ineffective and harmed the environment and human health.
 
But, the Board of Health believes the sprays are harmless and prevents humans from getting West Nile or eastern equine encephalitis. 
 
The Health Department is also down two people right now, slowing its ability to respond to residents' concerns about blight. A nuisance control officer is taking a job with another department in the city and will be leaving that role in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, another inspector went out on medical leave. The number of inspections performed has already decreased and addressing nuisance issues is expected to slow. 
 
"This is, unfortunately, a reoccurring issue we have," Chairman Jay Green said of staffing changes, but adding that he still wants constituents to call and report issues. 

Tags: disease,   lyme disease,   mosquito spraying,   ticks,   West Nile,   

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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