West Nile Virus Found In Woburn, Stoneham Mosquitos

WOBURN, MA — Mosquitoes collected in Woburn recently tested positive for the West Nile Virus, the state Department of Public Health announced on Thursday.

In a statement, Woburn city officials shared tips to avoid mosquito bites. The Woburn Office of Public Health will also be working with the state and the East Middlesex Mosquito Control, the city said, though it did not outline any immediate spraying or other actions in response to the positive test.

This test follows a previous case in Stoneham on Aug. 8 where a mosquito sample also came back positive for West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus is an illness most commonly transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Most people who contract the virus do not show symptoms. Those who do can experience anything from mild cold symptoms to potentially fatal neurological symptoms.

While anyone can contract the virus, people over the age of 50 are particularly susceptible to more severe infections, the city of Woburn noted this week.

“While we advise everyone to take steps to avoid mosquito bites, this is especially important if you are over the age of 50 or have an immune compromising condition,” the city said in its statement.

Despite its recent positive test results, Woburn remained at a “low” risk for West Nile Virus according to a Department of Public Health assessment on Thursday.

A handful of greater Boston communities including Stoneham were classified at “moderate” risk.

There had been 40 mosquito samples positive for West Nile Virus across the state this year as of Thursday, according to state data. Seven of those samples came from Middlesex County, including the the recent Woburn and Stoneham cases.

There have been no documented human or animal cases of West Nile Virus this year.