Stoneham BOH: West Nile Spraying 'Not A Viable Option' For Town

The Stoneham Board of Health has not considered spraying to be the best option at this point in the season, according to

After the town recently learned that a Stoneham man had been diagnosed with West Nile Virus, the Board of Health has decided to forego the spraying option, according to Stoneham Health Agent John Fralick. "At this time, the Board of Health has not considered spraying to be a viable option where it is so late in the warm season (2-3 weeks) and mosquito activity is gradually slowing down," Fralick said. On Sept. 20, a 63-year-old Stoneham man was confirmed to have West Nile Virus; however, "the man has reportedly recovered fully," Fralick said. A reverse 911 call was initiated on Sept. 25 to notify the public about the human case of West Nile Virus in Stoneham, he said. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's risk assessment level …

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Stoneham Man Diagnosed With West Nile Virus; Town Bans Night Activities

A 63-year-old Stoneham man has West Nile Virus, according to the Stoneham Board of Health.

A Stoneham man was recently diagnosed as having West Nile Virus, according to a press statement by the Stoneham Board of Health. The 63-year-old man was discovered to have West Nile Virus on Sept. 20, according to the statement. The human case of West Nile Virus is the first discovered in Stoneham. "The (Massachusetts Department of Public Health) risk assessment level has been raised from 'Moderate' to 'High' in the towns of Stoneham and Winchester in efforts to raise awareness regarding this arbovirus in the closing weeks of the warm season." With the recent confirmation of West Nile Virus, the Stoneham Board of Health has placed a ban on all town and school-related outdoor activities after 6 p.m. for the remainder of the season, …

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PhotoMaineAC

7:56 am on Friday, September 28, 2012

Tom, the vaccines have the virus in it!!!!!!! now it's explained...   more ›

Report: Second Massachusetts Resident Dies from EEE

Two people have died of Eastern Equine Encephalitis this year, according to the AP.

The second person this year has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Massachusetts, the Associated Press reports. The victim has been identified as Charlene Manseau, 63, of Amesbury, according to the Newburyport Daily News. Manseau's family told the paper she may have had a weakened immune system due to recent cancer treatment (Read the full report). Manseau died Saturday. In all, seven human cases of EEE have been recorded this year in the state, along with 19 human cases of West Nile Virus. West Nile Virus was found in a mosquito pool in Melrose in July; it is the second consecutive year the virus was found in insects in the city. The state's Department of Public Health raised the West Nile Virus threat level to "high" in early…

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First West Nile Death in Mass. Since 2005, Threat Level Raised Statewide

A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness.

The first death of a Massachusetts resident due to West Nile Virus (WNV) since 2005 and additional human cases have led state officials to raise the threat level statewide to at least "moderate." A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Friday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this gentleman during this difficult time," Worcester Division of Public Health Acting Commissioner Dr. Michael Hirsh said in a DPH press release. "While we have been fortunate that we have seen a very low number of human West Nile cases, on rare occasion WNV can be very serious. …

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2012 Human Cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts Surpass 2011

A Middlesex County woman in her 30s is the latest infected with West Nile Virus, according to the Massachusetts Health and Human Services Department. Nine human cases of West Nile Virus have been found in Massachusetts, compared to six in 2011.

A Middlesex County woman in her 30s is the latest infected by West Nile Virus, according to a press statement by the Massachusetts Health and Human Services Department. The woman is the most recent human case of West Nile Virus, according to the statement. Nine human cases of West Nile Virus have been found in Massachusetts, compared to six in 2011. “These results show that the threat of mosquito-borne illness remains a serious concern across the state,” said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria in the statement. “We need to continue to take steps to protect ourselves against mosquito bites: use insect repellant, cover up, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active.” Meanwhile, a …

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Three More Human Cases of West Nile Virus Confirmed in Middlesex County

Officials are urging the public to take precautions against West Nile virus.

Three more human cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Middlesex County and the threat level is being raised in several communitites, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.  In response, the DPH has raised the WNV threat level to "high" in the following communities: Chelsea, Everett, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere, Saugus and Winthrop. Also, the threat level is being raised to "moderate" in other towns: Bedford, Burlington, Lincoln, Stoneham, Wakefield, Winchester and Woburn. WNV mosquito cases have been confirmed in 97 towns statewide this year and the state on pace to have the highest number of cases since 2000, according to the DPH.  Below are precautions to take against contracting West Nile …

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Year's Second West Nile Virus Human Case Found in Middlesex County

West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes have been found in 67 communities from nine counties so far during 2012. However, Stoneham isn't on the list.

An unidentified Cambridge man in his 70s is the second person in Middlesex County to be infected by the West Nile Virus this year, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services. The man remained hospitalized as of last week, according to a DHHS press statement. "The announcement is a compelling indicator that the threat of mosquito-borne illness is widespread, and people should continue taking simple, common-sense steps to protect themselves and their families against mosquito bites," said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach in the statement. "Use insect repellant, cover exposed skin, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are their most active." West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes have been …

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Patch Facts

Five Things: Stoneham Won't Spray to Ward Off West Nile Virus, EEE

Scope out the Five Things column for Aug. 23.

1. In case you missed it: The Stoneham Board of Health is taking steps to try and reduce the risk of West Nile Virus or eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) from cropping up in town, especially after the viruses were discovered in nearby communities. However, they won't be spraying to ward off the viruses.  2. Grab some shades: It's expected to be mostly sunny, with temperatures in the high 80s and winds in the 3 to 6 miles per hour range Thursday, according to the forecast for Stoneham on the National Weather Service website. In the evening, it will be partly cloudy, with temperatures dropping to a low of about 64, according to the forecast. 3. Barn sale: The Stoneham Senior Center is slated to host their Barn Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. …

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Stoneham Taking Steps to Prevent EEE, West Nile Virus From Cropping Up in Town

While the town may not be spraying, Stoneham is taking other measures to reduce the possibility of EED or West Nile Virus being found in the community.

With West Nile Virus and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) being found in nearby communities, Stoneham is stepping up efforts to reduce the risk of either virus from cropping up in town. In an email to Stoneham Patch Tuesday afternoon, Stoneham Health Agent John Fralick III discussed the Board of Health's plan to limit the town's exposure to the mosquito-borne viruses. "With the recent positive (EEE) sampling in Reading, the Stoneham Board of Health is being proactive in taking action to ensure the risk of a positive sampling in Stoneham remains low," Fralick said. "The Massachusetts Department of Public Health tests pre-designated sites in the area on a weekly basis, and as of now only one positive sample has been found in the area (…

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