West Nile alert in Tewksbury
October 5, 2008
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has announced that West Nile virus was found in birds and mosquitoes in Tewksbury last month.
The town was one of several communities where crows that tested positive for West Nile have been found. The virus also was detected in birds in Blackstone, Maynard, Oakham, South Hadley, and Winchendon.
West Nile virus usually spreads to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can infect people of all ages, but those older than 50 are at higher risk of contracting the disease. In wake of the latest test results, state health officials are urging residents to continue to use mosquito repellent, at least until the first hard frost.
BRENDA J. BUOTE
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
