One day after announcing the first human case of West Nile virus [WNV] in Massachusetts in 2021, the Department of Public Health [DPH] announced on Thursday, August 3, that two new human cases detected in Massachusetts
A man in his 50s and another man in his 70s both contracted contracted the virus in Middlesex County. The case announced on Wednesday was a female in her 80s. She also contracted the virus in Middlesex County.
Based on the three human cases, recent increases in WNV findings in mosquitoes, and weather favorable for mosquito activity, DPH raised the WNV risk level of an additional 38 communities.
Grafton and Upton were the only two communities in Worcester County. Mendon, Northbridge and Uxbridge are also at risk level moderate.
In 2020, there were five human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. WNV can infect people of any ages, but people over 50 years old are at higher risk for severe disease. Most infected people do not develop symptoms. Symptoms include fever and flu-like illness, when they do present.
See information on how to protect yourself, your family and pets from illness caused by mosquitoes.
