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Town continues mosquito control activities as West Nile detected in region

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

The Health Department on Wednesday advised residents to exercise caution while outdoors following reports of West Nile virus in the region.

According to a statement on the town’s website, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health alerted the Health Department on Wednesday morning that mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile in multiple towns, including Holliston and Southborough. Mosquito populations with the virus also were found in Natick.

In an email to the Independent, Health Director Shaun McAuliffe explained that the positive West Nile pools found in Southborough sit closer to Grafton. However, two sites in Holliston are “located not too far from the southeastern corner of Hopkinton.”

During a follow-up interview, McAuliffe offered steps for residents to reduce their exposure risk. He recommended using mosquito repellent at dusk and dumping any stagnant pools of water — such as bird baths — to reduce available breeding habitat for the mosquitoes.

“We want to be a little more vigilant in our outside activities,” McAuliffe said.

He could not rule out the risk of West Nile spreading to Hopkinton, but McAuliffe noted the distance from the positive mosquito pools to known sites in Hopkinton is significant. He said that mosquitoes do not tend to travel more than a mile from their pools, meaning it would take time for the virus to move into town.

McAuliffe also noted that the most frequent hotspot for West Nile in Hopkinton is around the Alprilla Farm area, and the town has not seen positive pools there since 2019.

The Health Department combats mosquito populations in town with the help of the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project. The CMMCP has sprayed across town throughout the summer and mitigated areas where stagnant pools are likely to form.

“As long as we’re being proactive in treating our waters and spraying … I’m optimistic we’ll be OK,” said McAuliffe.

“If we can disrupt the transmission process, then we reduce the risk of disease spread and/or positive mosquito pools developing in town,” he added, noting that he has prioritized spraying the areas of town near the Southborough and Holliston lines.

McAuliffe recommended concerned residents contact the CMMCP directly to spray private property. The service is free and can be requested by calling the CMMCP office at 508-393-3055 or going to cmmcp.org. More information on the upcoming spray schedule can be found on the town website.

Latest News

The Select Board on Tuesday agreed to schedule a public hearing regarding the common victualer’s license for Hillers Pizza following comment from residents and representatives of the business.

Water-Sewer Manager Eric Carty reflected on his 36 years with the Water & Sewer Department as he prepares for retirement.

This week’s Police Log features one arrest, along with reports of a boat rescue at the State Park, a trespasser on Edge Hill Road and vehicles drag racing in Legacy Farms.

Town meetings tonight include the Open Space Preservation Commission (7).

Photo of the Day

A motorcycle is reflected in a helmet at Hopkinton State Park.

PHOTO/AMIT JAGDALE