West Nile Virus Found in Pittsfield Mosquito Samples
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed two positive results of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the most recently tested weekly samples of mosquitoes collected in the City of Pittsfield, the Mayor’s office announced on Friday afternoon.
One positive sample was taken from the site of Pittsfield Cemetery (End of King Street vicinity) and another positive sample was taken from Berkshire Avenue location, according to the city’s news release.
“It is important to note that at the time of this release, we have no confirmed human cases of WNV,” the release reads.
The city nevertheless recommends residents take the following actions:
• When you are outdoors, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and socks. This may be difficult to do when the weather is hot, but it will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Use a mosquito repellent (follow manufacturer instructions).
• Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.
• Remove areas of standing water around your home. Here are some suggestions:
o Look around outside your house for containers and other things that might collect water and turn them over, regularly empty them, or dispose of them.
o Clean clogged roof gutters: remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
o Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
o Change the water in birdbaths every few days; aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
o Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers.
For more information, please contact the Pittsfield Health Department at (413) 499-9411 or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617) 983-6800 or toll-free at (888) 658-2850, or visit the MDPH website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/west-nile-virus-wnv
