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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts health officials announced the first two human cases of West Nile Virus in the state Tuesday.
The Massachusetts Department of Health said one individual is a female in her 70s who was exposed to the virus in another part of the country, while the second individual is a male in his 40s who was exposed in Middlesex County, an area known to be at moderate risk.
According to the DPH, the risk of human infection with West Nile Virus is moderate in the Greater Boston area (Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties), and in parts of Berkshire, Bristol, Hampden, Hampshire, Plymouth, and Worcester counties.
In 2022, there were eight human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. West Nile Virus is usually transmitted to humans through an infected mosquito bite. Most people infected with WNV will show no symptoms. When present, symptoms can include fever and flu-like illness.
"We are coming to the unofficial end of summer but mosquitoes with West Nile virus will persist for several more months," said state epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. "To avoid mosquito bites, use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, wear clothing to reduce exposed skin, drain standing water and repair window screens. We also encourage everyone to regularly visit DPH’s mosquito-borne diseases web pages to stay informed on when and where WNV activity is occurring."
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