West Nile Virus Detected In South Boston

BOSTON, MA — A mosquito pool in South Boston tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Boston Public Health Commission announced in a news release Thursday.

This is the first time this summer the virus — which is carried by mosquitos and can be spread to humans through a bite — has been confirmed in Boston, officials said.

No human cases of the virus have been confirmed among Boston residents and the risk of transmission is still low, according to officials.

“The Boston Public Health Commission works closely with our partners at the State Department of Public Health to monitor mosquito pools and alert residents of the risk of West Nile Virus,” Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission, said in the news release.

Despite the low risk of illness, The Boston Public Health Commission still encourages residents to take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

“During this time of the year and into the fall, we encourage residents to protect themselves by using insect repellant and wearing long sleeve clothing when outside at dusk and dawn for prolonged periods of time," Ojikutu said.

According to officials, most people who are infected with West Nile Virus do not experience any signs or symptoms. In some cases, people will experience a headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and body aches which can last for a few days or several weeks but usually go away on their own, officials said.

However, in rare cases, the virus can cause serious symptoms including high fever, severe headache, confusion, lack of coordination, and muscle paralysis or weakness, officials said.

People who are 50 years old or older are more likely to become sicker from the virus than younger people, according to officials. Anyone with serious symptoms should get medical help immediately, officials said.