Updates from the Board of Health

Recovery, Rabies, COVID, Mosquitos and more

Recovery Month

September is Recovery Month, dedicated to celebrating the gains made by people in recovery or substance use treatment for drug and alcohol addictions as a path to a healthy and rewarding life. It also celebrates support given by families, friends and service providers who make recovery possible in all its forms. Recovery is an active process of change, as individuals improve their health, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. Links to further information are on the Conway BOH website.

Reminder: Narcan kits are available on the foyer table in town hall. Two outdoor Narcan cabinets will be installed in town later this fall.

Rabies Information

The health district that supports your Board of Health has responded to numerous, potential rabies exposures this year. Rabies is a virus that almost always causes death, and you cannot tell if an animal has rabies simply by looking at it.

Rabies has been found in over 5,000 animals in Massachusetts since 1992. Most US cases of rabies in humans are caused by bats; any possible contact with bats should be taken seriously. This may be a bite, scratch, and/or finding or waking up with a bat in the room, especially with a young child or someone who may be mentally incapacitated. Bat teeth are small, so you may not realize if you have been bitten.

If bitten or scratched by a bat or wild animal: immediately wash the wound with water and soap for 10 minutes. Call your health care provider and the Cooperative Public Health Service that serves your Board of Health at 413-774-3167 ext 106. The Health Service will get in touch with your town’s animal control officer and/or inspector. If your pet is bitten or scratched, call the veterinarian and your town’s animal control officer. More information/ prevention tips can be found on mass.gov/rabies.

2024-2025 COVID vaccines

This year’s updated COVID vaccines are expected to come out in early September. Detailed information from the CDC will be posted on the town website when it is available.

Mosquito Bites

Illnesses carried by mosquitos will continue to be a risk until after the first frost. Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been diagnosed in a horse in Plymouth County. Two human cases of West Nile Virus have occurred, one in Hampden and MIddlesex Counties. While the risk in Franklin County currently is low, the best way to avoid possible illness is to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Measles Case in Massachusetts

The first confirmed case of measles in Massachusetts since 2020 was reported in Worcester County in early July. It was diagnosed in an adult who had recently traveled internationally. The Department of Public Health (DPH) urges anyone who does not know their measles immunization status to contact their healthcare provider to get at least one dose of the MMR (Measles-Mumps-Rubella) vaccine. Learn more about measles at mass.gov/info-details/measles.

New PERC Test Application

The Board of Health has a newly updated "Application for Soil Percolation Test." This application can be found on the Board of Health page of the town website. You can also email (boardofhealth@conwayma.gov or call (413-369-4235 x8) the board of health office to request a copy.

Information on this site is focused on our shared public health. Please consult your healthcare provider for your personal healthcare guidance.

For the most up to date information, please see the BOH webpage conwayma.gov/g/42/Board-of-Health.