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Public Health

Boards of health, health departments, inspections, and community health decisions.

Marlborough NewsSep 1, 2026

Marlborough Warns Of West Nile Virus, Plans Mosquito Spraying

Marlborough's Board of Health confirmed West Nile virus in local mosquito samples and scheduled spraying this week. Mayor J. Christian Dumais named George Larassa grand marshal of the 2026 Labor Day Parade, set for Monday, September 7. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Republican Tim Shea a…

Hingham NewsSep 1, 2026

Hingham Health Department Releases September Wellness Wednesday Flyer

Hingham Health Department released its newest Wellness Wednesday flyer this week, offering residents seasonal health tips and resources. The September edition continues the department's regular outreach series. Elsewhere, Hingham Patch reported Tuesday, September 1, that Sen. Ed Markey …

Norfolk County NewsSep 1, 2026

Milton Health Officials Warn Residents to Guard Against West Nile Virus

Milton health officials warn residents to guard against West Nile virus as mosquito season continues into September. The town's News Flash advisory, posted Monday, September 1, flagged the mosquito-borne illness as the leading cause of such disease in humans and animals statewide. Meanw…

Milton NewsSep 1, 2026

Milton Health Officials Warn Residents to Guard Against West Nile Virus

Milton health officials warn residents to guard against West Nile virus as mosquito season continues into September. The town's News Flash advisory, posted Monday, September 1, flagged the mosquito-borne illness as the leading cause of such disease in humans and animals statewide. Meanw…

Middlesex County NewsSep 1, 2026

Marlborough Warns Of West Nile Virus, Plans Mosquito Spraying

Marlborough's Board of Health confirmed West Nile virus in local mosquito samples and scheduled spraying this week. Mayor J. Christian Dumais named George Larassa grand marshal of the 2026 Labor Day Parade, set for Monday, September 7. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Republican Tim Shea a…

Plymouth County NewsSep 1, 2026

Hingham Health Department Releases September Wellness Wednesday Flyer

Hingham Health Department released its newest Wellness Wednesday flyer this week, offering residents seasonal health tips and resources. The September edition continues the department's regular outreach series. Elsewhere, Hingham Patch reported Tuesday, September 1, that Sen. Ed Markey …

Fall River NewsAug 31, 2026

Fall River Board of Health votes 3-0 to deny tenant's roach-report appeal

Fall River Board of Health denies tenant's bid to strike a "no violation" roach inspection report.

Barnstable County NewsAug 31, 2026

Falmouth Board of Health hears watershed nitrogen plan, approves one septic system

Falmouth Board of Health gets first look at townwide nitrogen watershed plan, presses for firmer sewer timeline.

Falmouth NewsAug 31, 2026

Falmouth Board of Health hears watershed nitrogen plan, approves one septic system

Falmouth Board of Health gets first look at townwide nitrogen watershed plan, presses for firmer sewer timeline.

Bristol County NewsAug 31, 2026

Fall River Board of Health votes 3-0 to deny tenant's roach-report appeal

Fall River Board of Health denies tenant's bid to strike a "no violation" roach inspection report.

New Bedford NewsAug 31, 2026

New Bedford Health Department Urges Residents to Take Community Health Equity Survey

The New Bedford Health Department urged residents Monday to take the Massachusetts Community Health Equity Survey, a new statewide health assessment. The department, headquartered at 133 William Street, framed the survey as a way to capture local health needs, though it did not specify …

Bristol County NewsAug 31, 2026

New Bedford Health Department Urges Residents to Take Community Health Equity Survey

The New Bedford Health Department urged residents Monday to take the Massachusetts Community Health Equity Survey, a new statewide health assessment. The department, headquartered at 133 William Street, framed the survey as a way to capture local health needs, though it did not specify …

Framingham NewsAug 30, 2026

Board of Health Proposes Fee Schedule Update, Sets Sept. 8 Hearing

Framingham's Board of Health has proposed an updated public health fee schedule and set a public hearing for Tuesday, September 8, at the Memorial Building. The city also flagged Framingham as remaining at moderate risk for West Nile virus, opened its Cultural Council grant portal for a…

Bristol County NewsAug 30, 2026

North Attleborough Health Department Warns Retailers of Statewide Kratom Ban

North Attleborough's Health Department is warning retailers that kratom products are now banned statewide. The advisory follows an emergency order from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prohibiting kratom sales effective Aug. 28, and Health Department officials are urging lo…

Middlesex County NewsAug 30, 2026

Acton Raises West Nile Virus Risk to Moderate

Acton has raised its West Nile virus risk level to moderate after a mosquito sample collected in town tested positive, prompting new precautions ahead of Labor Day weekend. Town officials, who earlier in the week still classified Acton's risk as low even as neighboring communities sat a…

Acton NewsAug 30, 2026

Acton Raises West Nile Virus Risk to Moderate

Acton has raised its West Nile virus risk level to moderate after a mosquito sample collected in town tested positive, prompting new precautions ahead of Labor Day weekend. Town officials, who earlier in the week still classified Acton's risk as low even as neighboring communities sat a…

Middlesex County NewsAug 30, 2026

Board of Health Proposes Fee Schedule Update, Sets Sept. 8 Hearing

Framingham's Board of Health has proposed an updated public health fee schedule and set a public hearing for Tuesday, September 8, at the Memorial Building. The city also flagged Framingham as remaining at moderate risk for West Nile virus, opened its Cultural Council grant portal for a…

North Attleborough NewsAug 30, 2026

North Attleborough Health Department Warns Retailers of Statewide Kratom Ban

North Attleborough's Health Department is warning retailers that kratom products are now banned statewide. The advisory follows an emergency order from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health prohibiting kratom sales effective Aug. 28, and Health Department officials are urging lo…

Grafton NewsAug 29, 2026

Grafton Flags Continued Mosquito Spraying Through August

Grafton flagged continued mosquito spraying by the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project through August, the lone Town Hall update this week. GAAP Recovery will host an Overdose Awareness Remembrance Vigil on the Grafton Common Sunday, ahead of Monday's International Overdose A…

Worcester County NewsAug 29, 2026

Grafton Flags Continued Mosquito Spraying Through August

Grafton flagged continued mosquito spraying by the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project through August, the lone Town Hall update this week. GAAP Recovery will host an Overdose Awareness Remembrance Vigil on the Grafton Common Sunday, ahead of Monday's International Overdose A…

Boston NewsAug 28, 2026

Council panel hears testimony on veteran lung cancer, women's health gaps

Boston council panel presses VA and city officials on Black veteran lung cancer deaths and women's health gaps. Councilor Edward M.

Suffolk County NewsAug 28, 2026

Council panel hears testimony on veteran lung cancer, women's health gaps

Boston council panel presses VA and city officials on Black veteran lung cancer deaths and women's health gaps. Councilor Edward M.

Middlesex County NewsAug 28, 2026

Somerville's West Nile Virus Risk Raised To High

Somerville's West Nile virus risk level jumped to high after the city confirmed its first two human cases of the season. The elevated alert, reported by Somerville Patch on Thursday, comes as public health officials track mosquito-borne illness activity heading into the final stretch of…

Somerville NewsAug 28, 2026

Somerville's West Nile Virus Risk Raised To High

Somerville's West Nile virus risk level jumped to high after the city confirmed its first two human cases of the season. The elevated alert, reported by Somerville Patch on Thursday, comes as public health officials track mosquito-borne illness activity heading into the final stretch of…

Greenfield NewsAug 27, 2026

Health Officials Confirm West Nile Virus in Greenfield Mosquito Samples

Health officials confirmed West Nile virus in two mosquito samples collected in Greenfield, Franklin County Now reported this week, though no human cases have surfaced so far. The finding, drawn from routine mosquito surveillance, comes as the town's Community Preservation Committee sep…

Lexington NewsAug 27, 2026

State Confirms West Nile Virus Near Lexington, Town Urges Caution

State health officials confirmed West Nile virus in several communities near Lexington on Aug. 21, and the town renewed mosquito-safety guidance this week, urging residents to drain standing water and use repellent during peak hours. No human cases have been reported in Lexington. Elsew…

Saugus NewsAug 27, 2026

Saugus Raises West Nile Virus Risk to Moderate

Saugus raised its West Nile virus risk level to moderate as Town Manager Scott Crabtree named a new veterans service officer. Crabtree announced the hiring of retired U.S. Army Colonel Connell to lead the town's Veterans Services office, filling a role residents rely on for benefits gui…

Middlesex County NewsAug 27, 2026

Concord Health Officials Raise West Nile Virus Risk To Moderate

Concord health officials raised the town's West Nile virus risk level to moderate after mosquito samples tested positive in neighboring communities. The Department of Public Health advisory urges residents to take precautions during dusk and dawn hours as the town also opened its FY26 G…

Franklin County NewsAug 27, 2026

Health Officials Confirm West Nile Virus in Greenfield Mosquito Samples

Health officials confirmed West Nile virus in two mosquito samples collected in Greenfield, Franklin County Now reported this week, though no human cases have surfaced so far. The finding, drawn from routine mosquito surveillance, comes as the town's Community Preservation Committee sep…

Falmouth NewsAug 27, 2026

Falmouth Confirms Fifth West Nile-Positive Mosquito Sample of 2026

Falmouth confirmed its fifth West Nile-positive mosquito sample of 2026, the first from a Woods Hole Road site, officials said. The News Flash advisory noted no human cases have been detected in town this year. Sewer-project construction continues to close sections of Maravista Avenue E…

Concord NewsAug 27, 2026

Concord Health Officials Raise West Nile Virus Risk To Moderate

Concord health officials raised the town's West Nile virus risk level to moderate after mosquito samples tested positive in neighboring communities. The Department of Public Health advisory urges residents to take precautions during dusk and dawn hours as the town also opened its FY26 G…

Middlesex County NewsAug 27, 2026

State Confirms West Nile Virus Near Lexington, Town Urges Caution

State health officials confirmed West Nile virus in several communities near Lexington on Aug. 21, and the town renewed mosquito-safety guidance this week, urging residents to drain standing water and use repellent during peak hours. No human cases have been reported in Lexington. Elsew…

Plymouth County NewsAug 27, 2026

Wareham Reports First West Nile Virus Detection of Season

Wareham officials reported the season's first West Nile virus detection in a mosquito sample Thursday, prompting a mosquito-safety alert for residents. Riverside Beach hosts a kayaking outing Saturday, August 29, and the Wareham Free Library rolled out its fall calendar, including a Sep…

Essex County NewsAug 27, 2026

Saugus Raises West Nile Virus Risk to Moderate

Saugus raised its West Nile virus risk level to moderate as Town Manager Scott Crabtree named a new veterans service officer. Crabtree announced the hiring of retired U.S. Army Colonel Connell to lead the town's Veterans Services office, filling a role residents rely on for benefits gui…

Wareham NewsAug 27, 2026

Wareham Reports First West Nile Virus Detection of Season

Wareham officials reported the season's first West Nile virus detection in a mosquito sample Thursday, prompting a mosquito-safety alert for residents. Riverside Beach hosts a kayaking outing Saturday, August 29, and the Wareham Free Library rolled out its fall calendar, including a Sep…

Barnstable County NewsAug 27, 2026

Falmouth Confirms Fifth West Nile-Positive Mosquito Sample of 2026

Falmouth confirmed its fifth West Nile-positive mosquito sample of 2026, the first from a Woods Hole Road site, officials said. The News Flash advisory noted no human cases have been detected in town this year. Sewer-project construction continues to close sections of Maravista Avenue E…

Norfolk County NewsAug 26, 2026

Brookline Raises West Nile Virus Risk To High

Brookline health officials raised the town's West Nile virus risk to high on Wednesday, urging mosquito bite precautions while Eastern Equine Encephalitis risk remains low, according to the town's News Flash alert issued Aug. 26. Brookline.News reported in its "News in brief: West Nile …

Brookline NewsAug 26, 2026

Brookline Raises West Nile Virus Risk To High

Brookline health officials raised the town's West Nile virus risk to high on Wednesday, urging mosquito bite precautions while Eastern Equine Encephalitis risk remains low, according to the town's News Flash alert issued Aug. 26. Brookline.News reported in its "News in brief: West Nile …

Worcester County NewsAug 26, 2026

Millbury To Spray for Mosquitoes After West Nile Virus Sample

Millbury will conduct mosquito spraying Thursday night near Greenwood Street after a sample tested positive for West Nile virus. The Central Mass Mosquito Control Project's response protocol treatment begins after 8:30 p.m. on August 27. Separately, Millbury Public Schools told families…

Middlesex County NewsAug 26, 2026

Marlborough Plans Mosquito Spraying After West Nile Virus Detected

Massachusetts health officials confirmed West Nile virus in Marlborough mosquito samples, prompting the city to plan targeted spraying this week. The Board of Health said state officials detected the virus in local mosquito samples, and Mayor J. Christian Dumais's office confirmed crews…

Marlborough NewsAug 26, 2026

Marlborough Plans Mosquito Spraying After West Nile Virus Detected

Massachusetts health officials confirmed West Nile virus in Marlborough mosquito samples, prompting the city to plan targeted spraying this week. The Board of Health said state officials detected the virus in local mosquito samples, and Mayor J. Christian Dumais's office confirmed crews…

Millbury NewsAug 26, 2026

Millbury To Spray for Mosquitoes After West Nile Virus Sample

Millbury will conduct mosquito spraying Thursday night near Greenwood Street after a sample tested positive for West Nile virus. The Central Mass Mosquito Control Project's response protocol treatment begins after 8:30 p.m. on August 27. Separately, Millbury Public Schools told families…

Wellesley NewsAug 25, 2026

Wellesley Board of Health Approves Minutes, Reviews School AC Plan

Wellesley Board of Health presses schools on air conditioning fix as citizen petition heads to town meeting.

Norfolk County NewsAug 25, 2026

Wellesley Board of Health Approves Minutes, Reviews School AC Plan

Wellesley Board of Health presses schools on air conditioning fix as citizen petition heads to town meeting.

Sherborn NewsAug 25, 2026

Sherborn Health Officials Renew Mosquito Safety Advisory

Sherborn health officials renewed public guidance this week on protecting against mosquito-borne illness, noting that while serious cases are rare, mosquito-carried viruses can cause symptoms ranging from a mild fever to encephalitis or meningitis. The advisory, posted through the town'…

Middlesex County NewsAug 25, 2026

Sherborn Health Officials Renew Mosquito Safety Advisory

Sherborn health officials renewed public guidance this week on protecting against mosquito-borne illness, noting that while serious cases are rare, mosquito-carried viruses can cause symptoms ranging from a mild fever to encephalitis or meningitis. The advisory, posted through the town'…

Middlesex County NewsAug 25, 2026

Newton's West Nile Virus Risk Raised To High

Newton's West Nile virus risk level has been raised to high after Middlesex County's first confirmed human case of the year. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the change following the case confirmation, according to a Newton Patch report published Tuesday, August 25. Ci…

Newton NewsAug 25, 2026

Newton's West Nile Virus Risk Raised To High

Newton's West Nile virus risk level has been raised to high after Middlesex County's first confirmed human case of the year. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the change following the case confirmation, according to a Newton Patch report published Tuesday, August 25. Ci…

Townsend NewsAug 25, 2026

Townsend Flagged in Statewide West Nile Virus Alert

Massachusetts health officials confirmed a second human case of West Nile virus this season, per a Townsend town website alert posted Aug. 25. The News Flash posting urged residents to keep using repellent, avoid outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn, and drain standing water as the mosquit…

Waltham NewsAug 25, 2026

Waltham Health Department Warns Residents to Avoid Hardy Pond

Waltham Health Department warned residents Aug. 25 to avoid Hardy Pond after detecting a harmful cyanobacteria bloom. The bloom, known as a CyanoHAB, can sicken people, children and pets that come into contact with the water, and the department issued two separate advisories explaining …

Middlesex County NewsAug 25, 2026

Waltham Health Department Warns Residents to Avoid Hardy Pond

Waltham Health Department warned residents Aug. 25 to avoid Hardy Pond after detecting a harmful cyanobacteria bloom. The bloom, known as a CyanoHAB, can sicken people, children and pets that come into contact with the water, and the department issued two separate advisories explaining …

Medfield NewsAug 25, 2026

State Confirms West Nile Virus in Medfield Mosquitoes

State health officials confirmed West Nile virus in mosquitoes collected from Medfield on August 25, prompting a health alert from Town Hall. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the state agency that tracks mosquito-borne illness, flagged the detection, and the town posted th…

Framingham NewsAug 25, 2026

Massachusetts Confirms Second West Nile Virus Case of the Year

Massachusetts confirmed a second human case of West Nile virus this year as Framingham nears the end of mosquito season. MetroWest Daily News reported the finding in its "Second human case of West Nile virus identified in Massachusetts" coverage this week, a public health flag for area …

Middlesex County NewsAug 25, 2026

Ayer Confirms West Nile Virus in Local Mosquito Samples

Ayer confirmed West Nile virus in mosquito samples collected in town, the town announced Aug. 19. The notice arrived alongside a separate Town Hall posting outlining proposed changes to the governance structure at Devens, and a News Flash post celebrating the recent academic and extracu…

Carlisle NewsAug 25, 2026

West Nile Virus Confirmed In Carlisle Mosquitoes

Massachusetts health officials confirmed West Nile virus in mosquitoes trapped in Carlisle on Aug. 25. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health urged residents to keep guarding against mosquito bites as the season continues. The Town of Carlisle also added three generators and thre…

Middlesex County NewsAug 25, 2026

West Nile Virus Confirmed In Carlisle Mosquitoes

Massachusetts health officials confirmed West Nile virus in mosquitoes trapped in Carlisle on Aug. 25. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health urged residents to keep guarding against mosquito bites as the season continues. The Town of Carlisle also added three generators and thre…

Ayer NewsAug 25, 2026

Ayer Confirms West Nile Virus in Local Mosquito Samples

Ayer confirmed West Nile virus in mosquito samples collected in town, the town announced Aug. 19. The notice arrived alongside a separate Town Hall posting outlining proposed changes to the governance structure at Devens, and a News Flash post celebrating the recent academic and extracu…

Middlesex County NewsAug 25, 2026

Massachusetts Confirms Second West Nile Virus Case of the Year

Massachusetts confirmed a second human case of West Nile virus this year as Framingham nears the end of mosquito season. MetroWest Daily News reported the finding in its "Second human case of West Nile virus identified in Massachusetts" coverage this week, a public health flag for area …

Middlesex County NewsAug 25, 2026

Townsend Flagged in Statewide West Nile Virus Alert

Massachusetts health officials confirmed a second human case of West Nile virus this season, per a Townsend town website alert posted Aug. 25. The News Flash posting urged residents to keep using repellent, avoid outdoor exposure at dusk and dawn, and drain standing water as the mosquit…

Norfolk County NewsAug 25, 2026

State Confirms West Nile Virus in Medfield Mosquitoes

State health officials confirmed West Nile virus in mosquitoes collected from Medfield on August 25, prompting a health alert from Town Hall. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the state agency that tracks mosquito-borne illness, flagged the detection, and the town posted th…

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