State Health Officials Announce Season’s Second Human Case of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts

The Risk Level for West Nile Virus in Cambridge is Now High

On September 3, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that second human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Massachusetts this year in a woman in her 60s who was exposed in Essex County. View the full press release by DPH. 

This follows yesterday’s announcement of the first confirmed WNV infection in a person this season. As a result of these two cases and ongoing evidence of WNV in mosquitoes, risk levels have been elevated to high in Belmont, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Revere, Saugus, Somerville, Wakefield, and Watertown.

“Massachusetts is in peak season for the spread of West Nile virus,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “While the temperatures have dropped slightly, this is the time of year when most people get exposed to the virus. We encourage everyone to use mosquito repellent, to wear clothing to reduce exposed skin, and to empty anything that may be collecting water outside your home.”

Avoid Mosquito Bites

As mentioned above, health officials are urging residents to take measures to avoid mosquito bites to reduce their risk of WNV. This includes:

• Use insect repellent

• Being aware of peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn).  
• Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Mosquito-proof your home by draining standing water and using tight-fitting screens in windows and doors.

More information about mosquito-borne illnesses can be found on the DPH’s website.