08/18/2026
PRESS RELEASE
•••
18 August 2026
The Mass. Dept. of Public Health (MDPH) confirmed that a collection of mosquitoes from a surveillance site located in the Northern quadrant of Blackstone has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).
The Town of Blackstone Board of Health together with the Board of Selectmen and Town's Administration have taken precautionary measures for our community to have the Southeast quadrant of Blackstone sprayed for mosquitoes. Spraying in the area is planned after 8:30pm on the evening of 19 August 2026 to reduce the population of mosquitoes. A map and street listing is available on the CMCP website at Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project, MA | Official Website. Residents can call CMCP at (508) 393-3055 with any questions or concerns or the Blackstone Board of Health Office at 508-876.5130. Follow up spraying may occur if conditions warrant.
This is the same type of spraying in targeted areas using the pesticide etofenprox that has been done in the town or under resident's request. Residents can call CMMCP at (508) 393-3055 with any questions or concerns or the Blackstone Board of Health at 508-876.5130. Follow up spraying may occur if conditions warrant. The Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project will continue to test surveillance traps in the area where the virus was found.
You can help reduce mosquito populations around your home and neighborhood by emptying any containers that collect water. Please use repellents according to label directions if you are outside in areas with mosquitoes.
Even after the spraying there may still be risk from WN - risk will not be gone until cold weather predominates in the area. Personal protection measures have a significant role to play in monitoring for EEE and protecting yourself and your loved ones.
Avoid Mosquito Bites - Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening, after 6:00 p.m. or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing. Mosquitoes can be active during daylight hours when the temperatures are cool.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it is hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Apply Insect Repellent When You Go Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants
under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home - Drain Standing Water - Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors
More information is available at: West Nile Virus (WNV) | Mass.gov. Information about WNV and EEE is also available by calling the DPH recorded information line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968), or the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800. There is a helpful fact sheet located at https://www.mass.gov/doc/wnv-factsheet-english/download
For more information, please call CMMCP at (508) 393-3055 or log on to our website at www.cmmcp.org.
The following streets will be sprayed.
Arnold Street
Ascension Street
Castle Hill Way
Clyde Street
Connecticut Avenue
Devlin Circle
Essex Street
Fairway Lane
Farm Street
Federal Street
Fox Run Road
Gaskill Street
Hill Street
Hoyle Circle
Ledgebrook Drive
Lewiston Street
May Street
Mayboro Street
Monica Lane
New York Avenue
Orange Street
Pickering Road
Pinehurst Street
Power Street
Putnam Street
Rayner Street
Rhode Island Avenue
Rocco Drive
Saint Charles Cemetery
Saint Micheals Cemetery
Saint Stanislaus Cemetery
Swift Street
Warner Street
Whipple Avenue
Williams Street
