West Nile found in New Bedford mosquito sample

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The City of New Bedford said that a mosquito sample collected from the area of Rural Cemetery tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The sample was collected on Aug. 14 in a “primarily bird-biting mosquito.”

The City of New Bedford said that, in reaction to the detection, the Bristol County Mosquito Project will perform additional targeted ground-spraying south of Interstate 195 and east of Route 18/John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway to supplement the normal weekly spraying.

The city added that residents near targeted areas may want to close their windows in the evenings prior to spraying.

The Department of Health recommended “heightened preventative measures” including emptying standing water around homes, using approved insect repellents, and wearing appropriate clothing when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk.