Epi Week #28 - 2014 General Statements

Jul 6 - 12

The first West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquito pool of the 2014 season was detected in Clinton, MA this week, from a sample of Culex spp. collected on July 2. No Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEEv) positive pools have been detected.

Following several recent rain events, several of the Mosquito Control Districts noted in their reports that floodwater species are either emerging or expected to emerge during Epi Week 29.

Coquillettidia perturbans and Culex spp. continued to be abundant in most areas. Bristol County reported 25 more Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger Mosquito) collected this week. MCDs/MCPs continued larviciding of catch basins to combat increasing populations of Culex spp. Several also reported ULV application of adulticides, either for individual resident requests or wide-area spraying.

Weather

After a rainy Epi Week 27, Epi Week 28 had us back with below-normal precipitation levels in much of the state, except for an isolated area in northern Worcester County, where several towns/cities had over 2 inches of rain, and the eastern parts of Cape Cod. Temperatures were warm again this week, with July averaging 2-3 degrees above normal so far.

Precipitation in MA for EPI Week 28, 2014