West Nile Risk Now at 'Moderate' as More Spraying Planned

The risk of contracting West Nile virus from mosquitoes in Beverly has been elevated to "moderate," Beverly Health Director Bill Burke announced on Tuesday.

Another pool of mosquitoes has tested positive for West Nile virus, which means that a portion of Beverly will be sprayed with an adulticide truck-mounted treatment on Wednesday night. The area that will be sprayed includes the Raymond Farms, Shingleville and northern part of the Ryal Side neighborhoods. It is the same area that has been spayed twice already this year.

If the temperature isn't right on Wednesday night, Burke said the spraying could be postponed to Thursday or Friday night, when temperatures will allow for spraying. Residents are urged to stay inside until the spray truck passes.

The "moderate" threat means city health officials continue to remind residents that they should take personal precautions against mosquitoes, such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves or other protective clothing and minimizing outdoor activity between dusk and dawn. Residents should also eliminate standing water around their home.

"Although summer is over and mosquito populations are diminishing, the mosquitoes that remain are more likely to carry the virus," Burke said in Tuesday's announcement. "The risk of mosquito-borne illness will continue until the first hard frost."

Symptoms of West Nile virus include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, and swollen lymph glands. While the illness can last only a few days, even healthy people have reported being sick for several weeks and in its most severe form, the virus can be fatal.