Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston and seven other municipalities are now considered to be at high risk for West Nile Virus, state health officials announced Friday.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said the elevated risk level is due to ongoing evidence of mosquitos carrying the virus.
Read More: Steamship Authority Says High Speed Ferry Is Fixed
The affected communities are Boston in Suffolk County and Abington, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, and Whitman in Plymouth County, DPH said.
The risk level of human infection remains moderate throughout Bristol, Norfolk, and the rest of Plymouth County and in parts of Barnstable, Berkshire, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Worcester counties, DPH said.
"We are finding evidence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in multiple parts of the Commonwealth," Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD said in a statement. "While most people do not get severely ill from WNV, it is still important to take it seriously. People at greatest risk for severe disease from WNV infection include those over 60 years of age and people with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants."
"The risk from WNV is pretty widespread this year," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. "In addition to recommending that people use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient and clothing to reduce exposed skin, check your window screens to be sure they don’t have holes and empty any containers that accumulate water around your yard."
This year, there have been two confirmed human cases of WNV, DPH said. There were six human cases in 2023.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok