BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced Friday, Sept. 25, three additional human cases of West Nile virus, bringing the statewide total to 11 this year.
According to the DPH, the new cases include a man in his 60s who was exposed in Suffolk County, a man of unknown age who was likely exposed in Suffolk County, and a man in his 90s who was exposed in Middlesex County.
Health officials said the risk of West Nile virus will continue until the first hard frost.
Most of the state’s 11 human cases this year involved exposure in areas of Middlesex and Suffolk counties that are considered high risk for West Nile virus, according to the DPH. West Nile virus risk levels are currently high in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Watertown, and Winthrop. Most of the rest of Massachusetts remains at moderate risk.
The DPH reported the state’s first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes this year on June 16. Since then, 338 mosquito samples have tested positive this season in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. No animal cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Massachusetts this year.
Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, has also been detected in mosquitoes in the state this year. The DPH reported 26 EEE-positive mosquito samples this year, with no human or animal cases reported.
Health officials recommend residents use an EPA-registered insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors, and take additional precautions from dusk to dawn, when many mosquitoes are most active.
Residents can also reduce mosquito breeding areas by draining standing water around their homes and making sure window and door screens are properly installed.
The DPH said mosquito-borne illness surveillance information and community risk levels are updated daily on the Massachusetts Arbovirus Update webpage here.
