West Nile Virus Threat Level Raised in Brookline

The following was submitted by Dr. Alan Balsam, Director of Public Health and Human Services:

Public Health and Human Services announced that West Nile Virus is present in Brookline and raised the risk level from Low to Moderate.  

According to the Health Department, most people bitten by mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus won't experience symptoms. Those that do will experience very mild symptoms and will recover on their own. The mild symptoms are fever, lethargy, and flu symptoms.

People over 50 have the highest risk of severe West Nile Virus. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, headache, disorientation, neck stiffness, paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions and sometimes death. There is currently no vaccine or medical cure for the illnesses. In severe cases intensive medical therapy such as intravenous (IV) fluids and nutrition, and ventilator support can be administered in hospitals. 

Dr. Balsam said that people should check their screen, clean their gutters and report any standing water in your yards if it is there for longer than five days. The mosquitos tend to breed in dirty water.

“It is a preventable disease. For most people, it’s not a serious,” Balsam said. “Nine out of ten people will have no symptoms. People with compromised immune system need to take extra precautions. EEE is a different story, but historically we don’t have it.”

Take a moment to read the PDF attached to this article to read the Health Department's statement on Mosquito-Borne Viruses.