WORCESTER

Newton Square area to be sprayed for mosquitoes

Craig S. Semon
craig.semon@telegram.com

WORCESTER – The city Department of Public Health will have the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project spray parts of the West Side in response to last week’s detection of West Nile virus in mosquitoes collected in Worcester.

The spraying will be done between sunset and midnight Thursday in a designated area encompassing Newton Square, including parts of Pleasant, Highland and June streets and parts of Park, Institute and Richmond avenues.

The state Department of Public Health notified city officials July 5 that West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes collected in Worcester and Auburn. No human cases of West Nile have been reported this season.

Residents in the spray area should follow these precautions: Close street-facing windows; keep pets inside if possible; remain inside during the spraying and for 15 to 20 minutes afterward. Also, residents with gardens are advised to wash off vegetables before consuming them, and to turn off any “outside air” controls on older window-unit air conditioners

There is no need to cover swimming pools, as the spray is an oil-based product and will dissipate quickly.

Residents can opt out of spraying in front of their property by visiting www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-request-exclusion-from-wide-area-pesticides-application.

West Nile is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. While West Nile can infect people of all ages, people over 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.