Press Release - Board of Health

PUBLIC INFORMATION

PRESS RELEASE

August 13, 2018

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has reported to the Raynham Health Department that a positive sample for West Nile Virus (WNV) has been identified from mosquitoes in Bridgewater. The sample was collected from mosquito traps in the Town of Bridgewater on August 7, 2018. The mosquito species that contained the WNV was Culex pipiens/restuans complex, which are known mammal biters. As of today, there have been no positive mosquito samples for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Also, no animals or humans have been reported to have contracted either WNV or EEE in Raynham or the surrounding area.

West Nile Virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with West Nile won’t have any symptoms and will recover on their own. Less than 1% of people infected with WNV will develop severe illness.

Protect yourself and your family from mosquito borne illnesses like WNV by avoiding outdoor activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. You can also protect yourself by wearing long pants and sleeves and applying insect repellent. Make sure your doors and windows have screens and drain standing water.

This is a message from the Raynham Health Department. For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/dph.

Matthew Tanis

Health Agent

Town of Raynham