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West Nile Virus

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What is an arbovirus?
Mosquitoes belong to a section of the animal kingdom called arthropods. Viruses that are spread by arthropods (including mosquitoes) are referred to as arthropod-borne viruses or arboviruses.

Two different arboviruses found in Massachusetts are West Nile virus (WNV) (RTF) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus (RTF).

For information about WNV or EEE virus, positive mosquitoes, horses or humans and historical bird data: Arbovirus Daily Update Arbovirus Surveillance in Massachusetts, 2000- 2008

For recorded information regarding WNV and EEE, call the MDPH Public Health Information line:

1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968)

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• General Information
• Information for Health Care Providers
• Information for Veterinarians
• Information for Local Boards of Health
• Surveillance Data
• WNV & EEE Links

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General Information

• Gardening Tips - Don’t let the bugs bite! (PDF) | Word 
• Public Health Advisory - Recreational Activities and the Risk of Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes and Ticks (PDF) | Word
• Common Mosquitoes That Can Spread Disease in Massachusetts (PDF) | RTF 
• Frequently Asked Questions About Dead Birds and WNV (PDF) | RTF 
• Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquito Spraying (PDF) | RTF
  • Portuguese - Perguntas freqüentes sobre a aplicação de inseticidas para o controle de mosquitos (PDF) | RTF
  • Spanish - Preguntas frecuentes sobre la fumigación para el control de mosquitos (PDF) | RTF
• Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquitoes in Massachusetts (PDF) | RTF
• Mosquito Quiz (RTF) 
• Mosquito Reports
• Mosquito Control Projects Website
• Preventing Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes (PDF) | Word
• WNV and Transplant Recipients (CDC) (PDF)

Fact Sheets

• Eastern Equine Encephalitis (PDF) | RTF 
• Mosquito Repellents (PDF) | RTF 
• West Nile Virus (PDF) | RTF
  • Portuguese - Vírus do Nilo Ocidental (PDF) | RTF
  • Spanish - Virus del Nilo Occidental (PDF) | RTF
• West Nile Virus - Large Print Version (PDF) | RTF
  • Portuguese - Vírus do Nilo Ocidental - texto grande (PDF) | RTF
  • Spanish - Virus del Nilo Occidental - texto grande (PDF) | RTF

Spanish Fact Sheets

• Encefalitis equina oriental (PDF) | RTF
• Repelentes de mosquitos (PDF) | RTF 

Portuguese Fact Sheets

• Repelentes de mosquitos (PDF) | RTF 
• Encefalomielite eqüina do leste (PDF) | RTF

Posters

• Bug Spray Helps Keep Mosquitos Away (PDF) | RTF
• Bug Spray Keeps Mosquitos Away (PDF) | RTF
• Four Poster Set (Mosquitos and Ticks) (PDF 1MB) | RTF
• Three Kids (PDF) | RTF
• Use Bug Spray (PDF) | RTF
• Protect Against Mosquitoes (PDF) | RTF

Information for Health Care Providers

• EEE in Massachusetts: An Update for Health Care Providers (PDF) | RTF 
• WNV in Massachusetts: An Update for Health Care Providers (PDF) | RTF 
• Diagnostic Testing for Arboviruses in Humans (PDF) | RTF 
• Clinical Specimen Submission Form

Information for Veterinarians

• Diagnostic Testing for Arboviruses in Veterinary Specimens (PDF) | Word 
• Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (USDA)
• West Nile Virus in Horses (USDA)
• Animal Specimen Submission Form (PDF) | RTF

Information for Local Boards of Health

• 2009 Massachusetts Arbovirus Surveillance and Response Plan (PDF) | RTF

Surveillance Data

• Arbovirus Surveillance Information

WNV & EEE Links

The following is a listing of websites related to WNV and/or EEE. The presence of an Internet site on this list does not constitute an endorsement by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) of the organization, or information, products, or services provided, and none should be inferred. MDPH is not responsible for the content of the individual organization webpages found on this list. This list is provided as a guide for the public to information available on WNV and EEE. The information these sites provide may not be from peer-reviewed medical journals and the content may not have been subject to review for accuracy by any external agency or authority.

• Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC)Information about mosquito-borne illness and updates on West Nile virus activity in the Boston-area
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases
  Information on a variety of diseases spread by mosquitoes and other insects including West Nile virus. WNV educational materials available include downloadable brochures, posters, public service announcements, audio news releases and presentations
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  Environmental and educational information concerning pesticides and mosquito control
• Fort Dodge Animal Health
  Information about WNV vaccine for horses
• Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR)
  General information on mosquito control and local mosquito control projects
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  General information about WNV in horses and other livestock and poultry
• United States Geological Survey (USGS)
  Bird, human, mosquito and veterinary surveillance map

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This information is provided by Communicable Disease Control within the Department of Public Health.