West Nile virus discovered in Greenfield
Published: 08-30-2024 2:00 PM
Modified: 08-30-2024 2:36 PM |
GREENFIELD — Officials are urging the public to take precautions after the Department of Public Health detected the West Nile virus in Greenfield on Friday morning, a potentially life-threatening virus spread primarily by mosquitoes.
Public Health Nurse Megan Tudryn on Friday said although 70% to 80% of those infected with West Nile experience no symptoms, roughly 20% of infected patients experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or rash for a period days or weeks.
In about one in 150 cases, Tudryn said West Nile patients develop serious and potentially fatal illness, with symptoms such as high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. In a written notice, she said people age 50 or older are at the highest risk for severe infection.
Tudryn said although the virus is common in eastern Massachusetts, cases in Frankin County have been rare.
“They are having a lot [of West Nile cases] out east, like in Plymouth County, where they are actually doing widespread spraying, but this is the first time that I’ve heard of it in our town,” Tudryn said.
The Health Department distributed a written announcement Friday afternoon urging residents to drain any still water near their homes, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks when outside, and avoid going outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.
The department also advised residents to wear insect repellent containing DEET, permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus oil when outside and repair damaged window or door screens in their homes. Tudryn added that the use of Mosquito Dunks, or animal-safe water tablets that kill mosquito larvae, can help mitigate the spread of West Nile in still waters such as bird baths or pools.
“We are approaching the discovery of West Nile virus-infected mosquitoes in Greenfield with extreme precaution,” Mayor Virginia Desorgher said in a statement. “I want to thank the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Greenfield Health Department for their proactive efforts to share this critical information across our community. We encourage everyone to follow the important West Nile virus safety tips.”
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Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.