image description — WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were nine human cases of WNV in 2025, none in Berkshire County, and no human or animal cases of WNV have been detected so far this year.

Season's First West Nile-Positive Mosquitoes Found in Clarksburg

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:05PM / Tuesday, June 30, 2026Print Story | Email Story

CLARKSBURG, Mass.— Northern Berkshire County saw the first West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes of the season in Massachusetts.

The State Public Health Laboratory confirmed WNV in a mosquito sample collected in Clarksburg on June 16. On Monday, the public was notified of the detection on the town’s website.

"Recommended public health measures include raising awareness among residents, reminding residents to use mosquito repellents with an EPA-registered active ingredient and observing peak mosquito activity at dusk and dawn," a notice reads.

"MDPH will continue enhanced surveillance activities in this region."

According to a risk map provided by the Department of Public Health, Berkshire County remains at low risk for WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were nine human cases of WNV in 2025, none in Berkshire County, and no human or animal cases of WNV have been detected so far this year.

No evidence of EEE has been found so far this season, and there were no human cases of EEE in 2025.

While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms, but when present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness, and in rare cases, more severe illness can occur.

The state recommends people avoid mosquito bites by applying insect repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient when outdoors, wearing long sleeves and pants, and being aware of peak mosquito hours throughout the night.

Residents can also mosquito-proof their homes with screening, by draining standing water mosquitoes breed in, and by checking rain gutters and drains.

"Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas," the DPH wrote in a press release last week.

"Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE."

If an animal is suspected of having either disease, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health, by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.

More information can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page that is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.

Tags: EEE, mosquito, West Nile,

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Free Vaccinations Available Throughout Berkshire County

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Saturday, October 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fall season is also the flu season, which means vaccine clinics are now available.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. There are about 49 clinics.

The collaborative began during COVID-19 to help vaccinate people across Berkshire County. Berkshire Health Systems started the Get Vaccinated Berkshires website and still manages it. The group works with the Pittsfield Public Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative.

"The majority of people will always get the flu [vaccine] because, as I said, if you've ever gotten the flu, you will always get a flu vaccine because it's so bad. And just so you know, the flu is already in Berkshire County. It's an early season this year," said Leslie Drager, who is the senior public health nurse at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Drager said last year they issued 2,705 vaccines, with more than 1,100 of them being for COVID-19 and more than 1,500 being flu. In total, they were able to vaccinate 1,669 people in Central and North County, in addition to Pittsfield.

Drager also said she will be carrying three types of COVID vaccines this year, which is in high demand.

"We have a high demand of COVID vaccine, which is awesome," she said. "So we're doing a lot of COVID vaccines. Also, I provide Pfizer, and this year I have Moderna and the Novavax, which I think is real important to get out there because the Novavax, a lot of people want, people with long COVID. So I'm carrying all three vaccines this year, which I normally only carry the Pfizer."

Public health departments also can help people access other vaccines such as for measles or meningitis when they cannot get them through a pediatrician, she added.

Using the website, people are able to get vaccines even if they are homebound by filling out a form.

All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

"I always encourage everybody to wear a short sleeve shirt because it makes it a heck of a lot easier to get at," Drager said. "And children, we do carry the nasal flu, the live virus of nasal flu for kids that are afraid to get needles."

Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered.

"It's really important. I'm really encouraging vaccinations for the schools, because not only you know if the kids are vaccinated and the teachers are vaccinated, the schools won't have the flu go wild right through it," Drager said. "And of course, the best way to prevent infections: washing your hands. So don't touch your face, and wash your hands."

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