Northampton Mayor Gina Louise Sciarra is addressing the increased mosquito population throughout Western Mass. The mayor says it’s an unfortunate consequence of the rain and flooding from the past month. Due to potential of mosquito borne diseases, the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District is trapping and testing the bugs to monitor them and alert the public if needed. To date there have been 15 positive cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts, with four positive mosquito samples in the Pioneer Valley, with two in Hampshire County. Mayor Sciarra says this does not represent a major threat to human health, however, in response to the increased mosquito activity, the city will receive additional services with the mosquito control company that does its regular seasonal larvicide to reduce breeding activity.
