Aug 11, 2008 8:42 pm US/Eastern
Rain Increases West Nile Threat
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
While there are no confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in humans in the state of Massachusetts, health officials say the threat is still there, especially with the added moisture from recent rain storms.
Massachusetts health officials say the rain is triggering an explosion of mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus and EEE.
The diseases have been detected in mosquitoes throughout the state and it's significantly high in the greater Boston area.
Three birds in the state have tested positive for the virus, two of which were found in Boston.
Officials say the threat will remain until the first frost in the fall.
Health officials urge residents to report any dead birds as well as take precautions to help prevent contracting the virus themselves.
People should use insect repellant when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are more likely to be biting. Officials also suggest wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants.
Last year there were six human cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts. There were no human cases of EEE, though infected mosquitoes were found.
No mosquito pools in New Hampshire have tested positive for West Nile Virus or EEE this year. Last year in the Granite State three people were diagnosed with EEE; no human cases of West Nile Virus were reported.
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