Mosquitos in Bourne and Sandwich Test Positive for West Nile Virus

SANDWICH – State and local officials have confirmed that mosquitos in Bourne and Sandwich have tested positive for West Nile virus.

The exact location is not being disclosed, but the mosquitoes were collected this week, marking the first time they have tested positive on the Cape this season.

The project laid out mosquito traps to check the insects for the virus.

Gabrielle Sakolsky with the Mosquito Control Project said that although it was found in the two towns, it could be in other locations across the Cape.

“To be honest, there’s West Nile virus in low levels in all of our towns and I would hate to have somebody think that because they don’t live on the street where my trap is, that they don’t need to take the same precautions,” said Sakolsky.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is spread through mosquito bites but is difficult to detect.

Most people do not show any symptoms but some develop a fever and other symptoms that could turn serious and may be fatal.

Officials ask that people wear protective clothing, use proper insect repellent and keep yards free of standing water.

Sakolsky also recommends being aware of what time of the day it is.

“These mosquitoes that are carrying West Nile virus, the species that you find carrying it, are the species that are out after it gets dark, so dusk to dark,” said Sakolsky.

By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter

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