A WNV infection was confirmed by the MA State Laboratory Institute in a mosquito sample which was collected on June 25 in the Town of Whitman. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Thirty-three cases of WNV were detected in Massachusetts residents last year. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Last year a Westborough man died of EEE.
Many towns last year were placed on a high level threat alert, including Upton, for WNV and EEE. This forced many area towns to cancel/ close events, sports practices/games and park from dusk to dawn.
On July 16 at 6 p.m. at Agnes Varis Auditorium on the Tufts Campus in Grafton Sam Telford, III, an infectious disease expert and professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, will answer commonly asked questions about mosquito-borne illness at a lecture. .
The event is free and open to the public. A Grafton Health Official will also be speaking.
You can find information from MA state public health officials on how to avoid mosquito bites and mosquito proof your home here.
UPTON DAILY 