HADLEY — West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in Hadley, according to an announcement from the town’s Board of Health Monday evening.
The health board notice states that there is an elevated West Nile virus risk based on tests conducted by the state’s Department of Public Health.
The notice outlines various steps that can be taken to avoid being bitten and having the flu- and fever-like symptoms that might occur. Those steps include wearing insect repellent when outdoors, avoiding outdoors at dusk and dawn and draining standing water near homes.
So far this year, there have been 49 positive mosquito samples of West Nile virus across Massachusetts and 299 detections of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus statewide.
Last week, Deerfield announced mosquitoes collected there had tested positive for West Nile.
There has been just one confirmed human case of West Nile virus in the state, and two confirmed cases of EEE.
For more information, go to www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito or call the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983- 6800.