West Nile In Westborough: State Confirms Positive Sample

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough is the latest community in the area to be infiltrated by West Nile virus this summer, with state health officials confirming a positive sample Tuesday.

The positive sample came from mosquitoes collected in southwestern Westborough. Grafton, Shrewsbury and Worcester are all at an elevated risk for West Nile due to recent samples found in those communities. Two more samples were also confirmed in Worcester on Tuesday.

So far this summer, state health officials have found 116 positive West Nile samples in traps across the state. Parts of the state at highest risk for the disease include the Framingham area, Boston, and large portions of Bristol and Plymouth counties.

The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is scheduled to spray for mosquitoes in Westborough on both Wednesday and Thursday.

The state also confirmed the first human West Nile case on Tuesday: a man in his 40s from Hampden County. An animal in Plymouth County also tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis.

According to health officials, about 80 percent of people infected with West Nile don't develop symptoms, but about 20 percent will suffer symptoms like fever, rashes, nausea and vomiting, headaches and body aches. About 1 percent of cases can develop potentially serious encephalitis or meningitis. People over age 50 are thought to be at greatest risk.

"Because most people who are exposed to WNV have no symptoms, it is difficult to know exactly how many people have been infected," according to the state. "Between 2014 and 2023, 131 people were reported with WNV infection in Massachusetts. Eight of these people died. Cases have been identified from around the state."

Health officials are reminding residents to guard against mosquito bites by using repellent with EPA-registered ingredients like DEET, permethrin (cannot be applied directly to skin), picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Residents should be extra cautious during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.