Two new human cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts announced

Two new human cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts residents have been identified by the state health department. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said both individuals are male, one in his 50s and the other in his 70s and both were exposed to West Nile in Middlesex County. On Wednesday, the state health department announced the first human case of West Nile virus identified in Massachusetts this year. In that case, health officials believe the victim, a woman in her 80s, was also likely exposed in Middlesex County. The Greater Boston area and several towns in Bristol and Worcester counties are considered at moderate risk for West Nile virus. There have been no deaths this year associated with West Nile virus.Based on the three human cases, recent increases in WNV findings in mosquitoes, and weather favorable for mosquito activity, the West Nile virus risk level of an additional 38 communities is being raised from low to moderate. The communities include Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott and Wenham in Essex County; Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Springfield and West Springfield in Hampden County; Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Lexington, Lincoln, Natick, North Reading, Reading, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Wilmington in Middlesex County; Dedham, Needham, and Wellesley in Norfolk County; Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop in Suffolk County; and Grafton and Upton in Worcester County.In 2020, there were five human cases of West Nile virus infection identified in Massachusetts. West Nile virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While West Nile virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms. When present, West Nile virus symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.

BOSTON —

Two new human cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts residents have been identified by the state health department.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said both individuals are male, one in his 50s and the other in his 70s and both were exposed to West Nile in Middlesex County.

On Wednesday, the state health department announced the first human case of West Nile virus identified in Massachusetts this year. In that case, health officials believe the victim, a woman in her 80s, was also likely exposed in Middlesex County.

The Greater Boston area and several towns in Bristol and Worcester counties are considered at moderate risk for West Nile virus.

There have been no deaths this year associated with West Nile virus.

Based on the three human cases, recent increases in WNV findings in mosquitoes, and weather favorable for mosquito activity, the West Nile virus risk level of an additional 38 communities is being raised from low to moderate.

The communities include Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott and Wenham in Essex County; Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Springfield and West Springfield in Hampden County; Bedford, Billerica, Burlington, Carlisle, Lexington, Lincoln, Natick, North Reading, Reading, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Wilmington in Middlesex County; Dedham, Needham, and Wellesley in Norfolk County; Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop in Suffolk County; and Grafton and Upton in Worcester County.

In 2020, there were five human cases of West Nile virus infection identified in Massachusetts.

West Nile virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While West Nile virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms.

When present, West Nile virus symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.