Massachusetts Department of Public health has notified Brockton Health Department that specimens collected from mosquitoes from the City have tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV). This virus can cause severe illness in humans if they become infected, and symptoms ranging from high fever, stiff neck, seizures, muscle aches, disorientation, coma, even paralysis, and occasionally death in some people.
Therefore the following steps are recommendations to avoid exposure to mosquito bites:
- Residents are recommended to use mosquito repellents with an EPA-registered active ingredient
- Restrict outdoor activities by observing peak mosquito activity at dusk and dawn
- Get rid of any stagnant body of water
- If residents need to be outside during these time periods, it is recommended that they wear long sleeve clothes to avoid exposing their skin
DPH will continue enhanced surveillance activities in this region. Please click on this link to access risk maps updated with today’s positive results: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update . If you have difficulty accessing this information, please call the City of Brockton Health Department at: 508-580-7175.
