West Nile Virus Detected in More Bristol County Communities

NEW BEDFORD — The latest round of mosquito samples tested by the Massachusetts Department of Health shows a continued presence of West Nile Virus in Bristol County, with even more communities containing infected insects.

In samples taken on August 15, DPH says West Nile Virus was again detected in primarily bird-biting mosquitoes in the Oak Grove Cemetery area. The City of New Bedford says another round of spraying for the pests will take place early Thursday morning between 2 a.m. and sunrise in and around city parks including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, Custom House Square, and Oak Grove Cemetery. Residents are advised to close their windows Wednesday night before the spraying.

Samples collected from August 13-17 in Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Fall River, Freetown, Dighton, Easton, and Attleboro all tested positive for West Nile Virus. Previous samples taken between August 8-9 showed mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus were present in only New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fall River, Seekonk, and Mansfield.

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts Department of Health raised the risk of West Nile Virus from low to moderate across the state.