Oct
6
Peabody Floods Cause Mosquito Spread
The City of Peabody, located in Boston’s North Shore suburb, has experienced flooding this week and closed the Peabody Square and 12 major city streets. This comes after another storm turned the downtown area into a small lake. More than the rising waters, city officials are worried about the spread of mosquitoes in the area. These mosquitoes are recently tested positive for West Nile virus.
Although there have yet to be a case of the dreaded virus in local residents, city and state officials are determined not to let this happen. The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control District has been spraying pesticides downtown, as well as in school athletic fields and buildings in hopes to reduce the mosquito population. The office also advises residents to take precautions and guard themselves against mosquito bites.
Residents are also advised to get updates about the WNV in the area by logging on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website, as well as call them at 866-627-7968. The Peabody Public Health Department can also be contacted at 978-538-5926.
Source: Boston Globe and Patch.com