2 more human cases of West Nile virus confirmed in Mass., bringing total to 6

Two more people in Massachusetts have been diagnosed with West Nile virus, bringing the state’s total number of cases in humans this season to six, public health officials say. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced the two new cases on Tuesday. One is a man in his 50s who was exposed in Suffolk County, and the other is a man in his 80s who was exposed in southern Middlesex County. 

As a result of the new cases, the state said it is raising the risk levels for West Nile virus to high  in Saugus, Arlington, Belmont, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. 

“The risk of West Nile virus in Massachusetts will continue until the first hard frost,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. “While the temperatures may be a bit cooler, September is still within the peak time for West Nile virus activity in Massachusetts. As we all adjust to our post-summer schedules, one routine that everyone should continue is using mosquito repellent when outdoors.”

In 2023, there were six human cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts and no cases in animals. So far in 2014, there have also been no animal cases of the virus. 

The state said so far this year there have been 286 mosquito samples that have tested positive for West Nile virus from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. 

Public health officials urged that residents have an important role to play in protecting themselves and loved ones from mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile virus, which can cause serious symptoms in those who are older. Most people recover on their own without treatment and don’t show symptoms of illness, but others can develop headache, fever, vomiting, or body aches, officials have said.

The state has a map tracking risk for mosquito-borne illness in Massachusetts, and urged the public to take the following steps as the season continues: 

• Protect your animals by eliminating standing water around your property and contact your veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals or available vaccines to protect against the illnesses they can carry.

• Avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent, avoiding peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn), wear clothes like long pants that can help keep the insects away from your skin. 

• Mosquito-proof your home by draining any standing water such as birdbaths or unused flowerpots where mosquitoes could lay their eggs,  and install screens to keep the bugs out of the house.