Second West Nile case confirmed

By Jules Crittenden, Laurel J. Sweet and Jose Martinez

July 28, 2000 Web posted at: 3:07 PM EDT (1907 GMT)

BOSTON, Massachusetts (The Boston Herald) -- West Nile virus fears spread yesterday, when a dead crow in Hopkinton became the state's second confirmed case of the mosquito-borne disease.

While officials in the west-of-Boston suburb urged calm and advised residents to take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, health authorities in Boston and Brookline waited for a break in the rain to begin spraying where the first infected crow was found.

``We're trying not to encourage any panic,'' said Richard Gooding, chairman of the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen.

``It's certainly a concern . . . People have to take the proper precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites as they normally would, but especially now,'' Gooding said. He said the town will consider spraying, which was rejected in the past there due to strong opposition.

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The virus first appeared in North America only two years ago and killed seven people in New York last year.

Despite two infected crow deaths here, the virus has not yet been confirmed in any humans or mosquitoes in Massachusetts, although health officials said they were monitoring a suspected case of encephalitis - a brain infection associated with West Nile virus and other diseases - in a 12-year-old girl from Jamaica Plain who is being treated at Children's Hospital.

Health officials stressed that the West Nile virus appears to be confined to birds so far.

``None of the mosquitoes that were trapped contained West Nile virus,'' said Dr. Anita Barry of the Boston Public Health Department. ``We have no confirmed West Nile (among humans) . . . At this point we only have suspect cases of encephalitis we are following.''

Meanwhile, she said, officials are waiting for the rain to stop.

``Weather permitting, we will begin spraying around Willow Pond and Jamaica Pond, Franklin Park and the Hatch Shell (last night) between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.,'' Barry said. But she said, ``If we are having rain, it makes it very difficult to spread (the pesticide).''

Small children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are considered most vulnerable to the disease, which usually involves flu symptoms but can be fatal. People are advised to wear long sleeves and use insect repellents to avoid mosquito bites.

State Department of Public Health spokeswoman Roseanne Pawelec said that in Hopkinton, ``The crow was seen staggering on North Mill Street on July 21, and died shortly afterward.''

Hopkinton Animal Control Officer Bill Proctor took it to the Tufts University veterinary school in Grafton. It was sent on to a state lab for tests two days ago and was confirmed to have the virus yesterday.

``This is not unexpected,'' Pawelec said. ``After finding West Nile virus in Massachusetts, we fully expected to find it elsewhere in the state.''

Pawelec said state officials are conferring with Hopkinton officials about spraying and testing of mosquitoes.

Hopkinton Selectman Henry Fredette said he hopes the crow find will dispel anti-spraying sentiment in town. He said he urged the town to join a regional spraying program several years ago, but he said there was widespread opposition that included beekeepers afraid of losing their hives.

Meanwhile, as Boston and Brookline prepared for spraying last night, residents contacted by the Herald were unconcerned about potential health effects of pesticides.

Elena Murray takes her 18-month-old son, Christopher, to Jamaica Pond almost daily and said she is not concerned about the virus.

``I was surprised when they found the crow at Willow Pond, but we still go to Jamaica Pond all the time,'' Murray said. ``It's one of those illnesses where you really don't hear about a lot of people contracting it.''

In Franklin Park, Bob Jones and two friends relaxed in his van after hitting some golf balls in the rain. They welcomed the city's plan to spray the popular Dorchester recreation area for mosquitoes.

``It's about time,'' said Jones, 66, of Dorchester.

``Down South, they spray every day and you don't see anyone dying,'' chimed in Keith Walker, 54. ``I don't understand why in Massachusetts every time someone is going to spray anything - even weed killer - people complain. Nowadays, everything you spray or eat they say can kill you. My grandmother is 98 years old. She did everything they say is bad for you and she's still alive.''

Allan Edwards, who lives across Blue Hill Avenue from Franklin Park, said he was concerned about the possible side-effects the insecticide might have on his health.

``My grandson has asthma. I don't know how that chemical will affect him,'' said Edwards. But he added, ``I guess the spraying is good and bad. If a mosquito came and bit me or my child, I would be mad if they city did not spray after they found that crow. I guess the city is doing the right thing.''

Massachusetts reports West Nile virus
New York's Central Park reopens after mosquito spraying

CDC-The West Nile Virus

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