Mosquitoes in Worcester test positive for West Nile virus, city officials say

Mosquitoes in Worcester have tested positive for West Nile virus, state public health officials announced Wednesday. However, the city has so far not detected any human cases.

The risk of catching the virus from mosquitoes remains low, a spokeswoman for the city said in a statement.

The city will be spraying pesticides off a truck on Thursday evening after 8:30 p.m. (or Friday, if the first date gets rained out) in the area near Rural Cemetery, the statement said.

If your home is in a spray zone, city officials advise you stay inside during the spraying and for 20 minutes afterward, close windows and ensure your air conditioners are not pulling in air from the outdoors while the pest control operation occurs. The statement added pets should be kept indoors from dusk until midnight on spraying dates, and residents should wash any garden vegetables that may be exposed to the pesticides before eating them.

Other parts of Worcester may be sprayed in the coming weeks to control mosquitoes, and city officials offered details in its release for residents who want to request their property be excluded from the pesticide application.

Last year, Worcester was alerted to one human case of West Nile virus, while four other mosquito samples also tested positive. Public health officials say that while the virus can infect anyone, adults over age 50 are at greater risk of severe health consequences.

Most people do not experience symptoms, the statement said. However, some people might experience a fever or feel like they have the flu. It's rare, though possible, for people to develop more serious health issues.