08/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/07/2024 12:56
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) notified the City of Lowell Health Department that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected in the South Lowell/Highlands sections of Lowell, Massachusetts.
WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state, and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
By taking a few, common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
The City of Lowell Health Department is working closely with the Central Mass Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) and the MDH to address this finding of WNV in our community. The CMMCP will be conducting preventative pesticide spraying on August 8, 2024, throughout the South Lowell/Highlands neighborhoods, as well as properties along the Belvidere Lawrence St/Rogers St corridor. Please see map for the spraying zone locations.
Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website: https://www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases
If a property owner wishes to be excluded from future spraying activities and generalized wide area spraying, please register: https://www.cmmcp.org/pesticide-information/pages/pesticide-exclusion
For the scheduled August 8, 2024, scheduled wide area spraying, CMMCP will attempt to honor all requests for exclusion received by 12:00PM noon on August 8. Requests for peroprety exclusions made in the course of normal business shall be processed within 14 days.
CMMCP Pesticide Application Zone
Autumn St | Eaton St | Mechanics St | Spencer St |
Ayer Ave | Gorham St | Montreal St | Swan St |
Blossom Ct | Lincoln St | New Way | Tanner St |
Blossom St | London St | O'Connor Dr | Waldo St |
Boston Rd | Main St | Penn Ave | Weinbeck St |
Canada St | Manchester St | Plain St | West London St |
Cottage Pl | Maple St | Poplar St | West Manchester St |
Court St | Massasoit St | Quebec St |
Additional locations included in the August 8, 2024 widespread spraying activities in the Belvidere Lawrence St/Rogers St corridor include: