Eleven more mosquito pools in Boston have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), the Boston Public Health Commission reported today. Two of the positive pools were in North Dorchester and two in West Roxbury, both neighborhoods in which infected mosquitoes were previously detected. Joining the list of neighborhoods are East Boston, with two positive mosquito pools; Fenway, with three; Roslindale, with one; and South Dorchester, also with one. Infected mosquitoes have also been found in Hyde Park.

Multiple positive mosquito pools indicate that WNV is present throughout the city and residents are urged to take precautions to limit their exposure to mosquitoes. There has been one human case of WNV in Boston: a 46-year-old woman whose case was confirmed Aug. 27. She has since recovered.

Since June, larvicide has been placed into city catch basins designed to reduce the number of mosquitoes in the city. Spraying has been done for mosquito nuisance control in parts of some neighborhoods, but there are currently no plans to expand spraying throughout the city.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus, said Dr. Anita Barry, director of the Infectious Disease Bureau at the Public Health Commission.  She said it is very important for people to take precautions to reduce the risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito.  She urges that they take a few simple steps that include:

• Use insect repellant when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are more likely to be biting and, when possible, wear clothing with long sleeves and pants.
• Mosquito-proof your home by making sure that window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from getting into your house.
• Prevent mosquitoes from breeding by turning over unused flower pots, buckets, wheelbarrows, and garbage cans; removing leaves and other debris that can clog gutters and trap water; disposing of or covering old tires; and covering swimming pools and kiddie pools when not in use.

For more information on WNV, call the Boston Public Health Commission at 617-534-5611 begin_of_the_skype_highlig or visit www.bphc.org.