Pittsfield's West Nile Risk Elevated; Council Asked to Resume SprayingBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:15PM / Monday, August 14, 2023 | |
 The Pittsfield Board of Health is recommending the resumption of mosquito spraying after two samples of West Nile virus were reported; a third sample came up positive on Friday. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With three cases of West Nile virus found in recent sampled mosquitos, the City Council on Tuesday will tackle requests to resume adulticide spraying.
On the agenda is a petition from Ward 4 Councilor James Conant requesting to repeal the action that eliminated spray applications for the control of adult mosquitos and that the Board of Health and Conservation Commission develop guidelines and protocols on spraying.
There is also a petition from Director of Public Health Andy Cambi asking the City Council to rescind the vote of no spraying in Pittsfield and review the Berkshire County Mosquito Control program.
Earlier this month, the Board of Health voted to urge the council to resume spraying to prevent human infection. Two years ago, the council voted to opt out of spraying adulticide against the board's recommendation.
There was said to be a "disconnect" between health officials and the city on the health issues.
Most people don't develop any symptoms from a West Nile infection, but in those who do, it can result in fevers, rashes and nausea or more severe symptoms such as inflammations, convulsions or even paralysis. There is no cure.
Those who opposed the spraying say the chemical toxins used to kill the mosquitos were themselves a health and environmental hazard and that the low incidence of West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis didn't necessitate the risk.
In the last two weeks of July, two mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile. One was located in the Elm Street and William Street area and the other was in the city center near Wahconah Park.
On Friday, a third mosquito tested positive for WNV in the vicinity of Cheshire Road and the city's risk level was elevated to moderate, meaning that human infection has likely occurred. At the time, there was not a documented case of human WNV.
In his communication to the council, Cambi relayed the information that was given to the Health Board from the mosquito control project's Superintendent Chris Horton during its Aug. 2 meeting.
"Due to the large amounts of precipitation, there has been an increase in the mosquito breeding
conditions. Larval control in wetlands and catch basins have not been as effective because of the
flooding conditions. An influx of flood species has emerged in different collection areas around the city.
These species are primary vectors and bridge vectors for West Nile Virus," he wrote.
"There have been two positive samples of West Nile Virus in the mosquitos collected within two different locations in Pittsfield. This is significant as small samples of mosquitoes are tested, a positive indicates the disease is amplified. Because of these conditions the Board of Health requests the City Council to rescind the vote that was taken in April 2021 and allow adult control spraying."
Cambi also requested that the council comprehensively review the entire mosquito program with the Board of Health present.
"The goal is to have shared discussions to implement a proactive integrated mosquito management plan. I hope these requests can be discussed at the August 15, 2023, City Council meeting," he wrote.
Residents are urged to take precautionary measures that include repairing screens on homes, cleaning up mosquito breeding sites, being aware of stagnant water on private property, wearing long sleeves and pants from dawn to dusk, using netting on baby carriages and playpens, wearing repellent, and mitigating areas of standing water.
Though the city opted out of adulticide spraying, the pre-emptive larval control and catch basin operations have remained.
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