Two people in Massachusetts have contracted the West Nile virus that’s typically spread through bites from infected mosquitoes, according to state public health officials
A man in his 60s was exposed to the virus in Middlesex County, the Department of Public Health said Monday afternoon. DPH announced the first human case of WNV on Thursday, involving a man in his 90s who was also exposed in Middlesex County
“We are currently in peak season for WNV in mosquitoes, and the risk for many across Massachusetts is high,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said Monday. “Those who are older or have compromised immune systems are especially at risk.”
The risk for WNV is now “high” in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, Newton, Somerville and Watertown, DPH said. Health officials announced the first WNV-positive mosquito sample of the season on June 16, and now 184 positive samples have been detected in every county except Nantucket County
“I want to remind everyone to continue to use repellent, cover up with clothing when the weather permits, consider moving indoors during dusk to dawn hours when mosquitoes are biting, and make sure to empty anything that may be collecting water outside your home,” Goldstein said
The majority of people infected with WNV will not experience symptoms, though some can experience a fever, body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting and swollen lymph glands Less than 1% of individuals will develop severe illness, such as meningitis or encephalitis
DPH last week announced the first positive mosquito sample for Eastern equine encephalitis, which had an outbreak in Massachusetts two years ago. There’s been no human or animal EEE cases reported yet this year, health officials said
