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 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
• Mosquito Spraying and Control
• Surveillance Data
• WNV & EEE Links

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General Information

For information about WNV or EEE virus, positive mosquitoes, horses or humans and historical bird data: Arbovirus Daily Update Arbovirus Surveillance in Massachusetts, 2000- 2010

• Gardening Tips - Don't let the bugs bite! (PDF)    
• Common Mosquitoes That Can Spread Disease in Massachusetts (PDF)    
• Frequently Asked Questions About Dead Birds and WNV (PDF)    
• Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquitoes in Massachusetts (PDF)    
• Mosquito Quiz (RTF) 
• Mosquito Reports
• Mosquito Control Projects Website
• Preventing Diseases Spread by Mosquitoes (PDF)    
• WNV and Transplant Recipients (CDC) (PDF)

Fact Sheets

• Eastern Equine Encephalitis (PDF)    
  • Chinese (PDF)    
• Mosquito Repellents (PDF)    
  • Chinese (PDF)    
  • Haitian Creole (PDF)    
  • Portuguese - Repelentes de mosquitos (PDF)    
  • Spanish - Repelentes de mosquitos (PDF)    
  • Vietnamese(PDF)    
• West Nile Virus (PDF)    
  • Haitian Creole (PDF)    
  • Portuguese - Vírus do Nilo Ocidental (PDF)    
  • Spanish - Virus del Nilo Occidental (PDF)    
  • Vietnamese (PDF)    
• West Nile Virus - Large Print Version (PDF)    
  • Portuguese - V&#xed;rus do Nilo Ocidental <em>-</em> texto grande (PDF)    
  • Spanish - Virus del Nilo Occidental - texto grande (PDF)    

Spanish Fact Sheets

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

Portuguese Fact Sheets

• Repelentes de mosquitos (PDF)    
• Encefalomielite eq&#xfc;ina do leste (PDF)    

Posters

• EEE: Public Health Notice
  • Text Only (RTF) 
  • 8.5 
  • 11 
  • 24 
• Bug Spray Helps Keep Mosquitos Away (PDF)    
• Bug Spray Keeps Mosquitos Away (PDF)    
• Four Poster Set (Mosquitos and Ticks) (PDF 1MB)    
• Three Kids (PDF)    
• Use Bug Spray (PDF)    
• Protect Against Mosquitoes (PDF)    

Information for Health Care Providers

• EEE in Massachusetts: An Update for Health Care Providers (PDF)    
• WNV in Massachusetts: An Update for Health Care Providers (PDF)    
• Specimen Submission Form - general form used for human tests (PDF)    
  SS-SLI-1-08
• Diagnostic Testing for Arboviruses in Humans (PDF)    

Information for Veterinarians

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

Information for Local Boards of Health

• 2011 Massachusetts Arbovirus Surveillance and Response Plan (PDF)    

Mosquito Spraying and Control

• Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquito Spraying and Control (PDF)    
  • Portuguese - Perguntas freq&#xfc;entes sobre a aplica&#xe7;&#xe3;o de inseticidas para o controle de mosquitos (PDF)    
  • Spanish - Preguntas frecuentes sobre la fumigaci&#xf3;n para el control de mosquitos (PDF)    
• Contact information for Local Mosquito Control Districts:
  • Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project - bcmcp@bcn.net
  • Bristol County Mosquito Control Project - brismosqmt@comcast.net
  • Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project - cmmcp@att.net
  • Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project - ccmcp@ccmcp.net
  • East Middlesex County Mosquito Control Project - emmcp.dh@verizon.net
  • Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project - ncmcp@verizon.net
  • Northeast Mosquito Control Project - www.northeastmassmosquito.com
  • Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project - www.plymouthmosquito.org/
  • Suffolk County Mosquito Control Project - contact by telephone at: (617) 361-0550
• 2010 Emergency Response
  • 2010 EEEv Aerial Spraying Summary (PDF)
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Anvil Spraying To Reduce Risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis
    • Portuguese - Perguntas mais freq&#xfc;entes sobre a pulveriza&#xe7;&#xe3;o do Anvil para reduzir o risco de encefalite eq&#xfc;ina ocidental (PDF)    
    • Spanish - Preguntas frecuentes sobre el rociamiento con Anvil para reducir el riesgo de encefalitis equina oriental (PDF)    

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 about how long EPA-registered repellents will work and how to use them
• 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 Epidemiology Program within the Department of Public Health.