Epi Week #33 - 2015 General Statements
West Nile Virus activity continued this week, with 28 new arbovirus-positive mosquito pools, bringing the total for the season to 86. Of the 28, all were from the Culex pipiens/restuans complex. We now have 29 communities at a WNV risk level of MODERATE, in Berkshire, Bristol, Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk Counties. EEEv still remains undetected. Going back to the year 2000, the latest date we’ve ever had our first EEE+ mosquito pool was August 18th, so we’re potentially in record territory here.
Weather
Most of the state saw at least some rain this past week, with southern Berkshire County and the junction of Middlesex, Worcester and Norfolk Counties receiving several inches each. Hurricane Danny fizzled out quickly and became a non-issue, Tropical Storm Erika arrived soon after but at this point is not thought to be a threat to New England. Expect the high humidity of the past couple of weeks to finally break in Epi Week 34, with a return to dry conditions. There is no rain expected until Epi Week 35, at which point the heat and humidity may return as well, with temperatures expected to be towards 90’F into the beginning of September.
