Mass. announces first two human cases of West Nile virus this year

Seth Jacobson, Cape Cod Times
Updated ·2 min read

The first two human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) have been reported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).

The state's first case of West Nile virus found in a mosquito sample occurred on July 6 in Brookline, according to the DPH. Since then, the agency has reported finding the virus in Worcester, Cohasset, Hadley, Pittsfield and West Springfield mosquito samples.

At that time, DPH spokesman Omar Cabrer told Wicked Local that while it's "been a relatively slow season thus far," the agency "just wants people to be aware."

But now things are a bit more serious.

In a press release, the DPH reported that one individual with WNV is a female in her 70s who was exposed to the virus "in another part of the country." The other person is a male in his 40s who was exposed in Middlesex County, "an area already known to be at moderate risk."

The DPH noted that the risk of WNV is considered to be moderate in Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties, and in parts of Berkshire, Bristol, Hampden, Hampshire, Plymouth and Worcester counties.

On Thursday, DPH announced that WNV had been detected in a mosquito sample collected from Barnstable.

An emtomologist with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project holds up a colex mosquito, the type known to carry West Nile virus.
An emtomologist with the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project holds up a colex mosquito, the type known to carry West Nile virus.

'There's always a risk': DPH raises Mass. risk level for West Nile virus from low to moderate

"There are no additional risk level changes indicated at this time," DPH officials said.

“This is the first time that West Nile virus infection has been identified in Massachusetts residents this year,” said Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein, in a statement. He noted that August and September are the months when most Massachusetts residents are exposed to West Nile virus.

"Populations of mosquitoes that can carry and spread this virus are fairly large this year, and we have seen recent increases in the number of WNV-positive mosquito samples from multiple parts of the Commonwealth,” Goldstein said.

With the first cases of West Nile Virus announced, the Department of Public Health says applying insect repellant when going outdoors can reduce risk of mosquito-borne diseases.
With the first cases of West Nile Virus announced, the Department of Public Health says applying insect repellant when going outdoors can reduce risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

The DPH stated that last year there were eight human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. The disease is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. And while WNV can infect people of all ages, "people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease," the DPH said.

“We are coming to the unofficial end of summer but mosquitoes with West Nile virus will persist for several more months,” said Catherine Brown, the state's epidemiologist, in a statement. “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.

Brown encouraged residents to visit DPH’s mosquito-borne diseases web pages to stay informed about "when and where WNV activity is occurring."

This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: DPH: First human cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts