BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the second and third human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in the state this year.
The DPH said the individuals are both male, one in his 50s and the other in his 80s. Both were exposed to WNV in Middlesex County in an area already known to be at risk for this virus.
Most WNV virus activity this year has been focused in an area around Boston and includes parts of Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex counties.
Read More: EEE, West Nile Virus In Dozens Of Massachusetts Mosquito Samples
The risk of human infection with WNV is considered to be generally low throughout most of the Commonwealth. The DPH said information about current mosquito activity will continue to be updated regularly, and can be found here.
In 2019, there were five human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease.
Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.
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