The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has informed town officials that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in two collections of mosquitoes in Billerica in the Ox Road and Todd Lane areas of town and that the risk level remains at moderate.
No humans have tested positive for the WNV in Massachusetts to date.
The Town of Billerica has coordinated with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) to spray designated areas of concern on Thursday, August 7, 2025, after sunset up until midnight.
Residents within these areas should follow these spray precautions:
- Pease close street facing windows and keep pets inside between sunset and midnight if possible to allow more thorough application. This type of pesticide is similar to the ones used for flea and tick control
- Remain inside during the application and for 15-20 minutes afterwards.
- Accidental exposure is not expected to cause any health concerns in most people.
- No precautions are needed the day after the application as all residents will have evaporated.
- Residents with gardens are advised to wash off vegetables before consuming them
- There is no need to cover pools as the spray is an oil-based product and will dissipate quickly.
- Any “outside air” controls on older window unit air conditions should be turned off.