New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the second and third human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state this year. The individuals are male, one in his 50s and the other in his 80s. Both were exposed to WNV in Middlesex County in an area already known to be at risk for this virus.
Most WNV virus activity this year has been focused in an area around Boston and includes parts of Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex counties.
The risk of human infection with WNV is considered to be generally low throughout most of the Commonwealth. Information about current mosquito activity will continue to be updated regularly and can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/mosquitoes-and-ticks.
In 2019, there were five human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms.
