Epi Week #23 - 2015 General Statements

We continue to maintain dry conditions across most of the state. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on our key arbovirus vectors; while less habitat for mosquitoes like Culiseta melanura and Coquillettidia perturbans could mean fewer EEEv carrying mosquitoes, dry conditions have also been correlated with an increase in WNV cases, because the remaining water in catch basins becomes more stagnant and therefore even more hospitable mosquito habitat. A lack of water sources can also lead to birds coming into contact with arbovirus-positive mosquitoes as they have to hunt harder (and possibly venture into more densely populated areas) to find water.

Weather

Not much rain this week except for northern Berkshire County, where some municipalities received over 2 inches. Even with recent rain events, most of the state remains at Moderate Drought status, with Southern Worcester County, Southern Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Northern Bristol County, and Northern Plymouth County rated Abnormally Dry (US Drought Monitor on the University of Nebraska-Lincolm website). There are no significant weather events predicted over the next week, except for the potential of far western Massachusetts to receive some of the effects of the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill as it moves away from the Gulf Coast.