A rare but deadly mosquito virus infection has Massachusetts towns urging vigilance

State health officials warned that a cluster of four towns south of Worcester - Douglas, Oxford, Sutton and Webster - are at "critical risk" after a man from Oxford caught the virus. They urged residents to finish outdoor activities by 6 p.m. to reduce mosquito exposure. This guidance reflects a growing concern for public safety and the need for vigilance in combating mosquito-borne illnesses during peak seasons.

Jennifer Callahan, Oxford's town manager, wrote in a memo highlighting the severity of the situation: "They want people to be aware this is an extremely serious disease with terrible physical and emotional consequences, regardless if the person manages to live." This emphasizes the critical need for residents to heed health guidelines during this outbreak.

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