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Final Week

 This week has been extremely busy because we had 14 pools test positive for WNV across 10 towns. So, on top of our typical trapping routes, we also had to go back and trap at the sites that tested positive. We needed all hands on deck to trap this week in order to finish our regular routes and revisit the positive sites. Most of the positive samples were pooled from towns in the Northern route. Two of my towns ( in the Southern route) tested positive (Blackstone and Natick), so I went back to Blackstone to set a new trap (CDC and gravid) and our entomologist went to the my Natick site. 

This week, neighboring projects also have found their first cases of EEE in mosquitoes. So far this year, the neighboring projects have found viruses first and we follow, so if the pattern stays the same, we might also find EEE soon. 

This is my last week at CMMCP, and I’m definitely feeling a bit sad to say goodbye. It’s been a great experience, and I’ve learned so much over the season. One of the highlights for me was seeing how my work in the field helped keep the public informed about health threats. I really enjoyed being on the front lines of VBD management because I could see firsthand how my efforts were making a difference in the community. Big thanks to everyone at CMMCP and the NEVBD team for all the knowledge and support this summer. I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for the hard work that goes into managing vector-borne diseases and how crucial it is for keeping Central MA safe.

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