BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced the 11th human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the state this year.
West Nile Virus
A man in his 60s, who recently travelled out of state, contracted the virus. DPH does not know if he contracted the virus within or outside Massachusetts.
Of the 11 human cases this year, none were Worcester County residents.
In 2023, DPH discovered seven human cases of WNV.
DPH currently ranks the risk level for West Nile across most of Worcester County as low. Only Worcester, Auburn, Grafton, Holden, Millbury, and Shrewsbury have risk levels of “moderate.”
WNV produces symptoms of fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the leading cause of mosquito-born viruses in the continental United States.
However, just 1 in 5 people infected with WNV develop a fever or other symptoms. Just 1 of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat WNV in humans.
State officials have detected WNV in 314 collects mosquito samples across the state, including in Worcester County, this year.
EEE
On Sept. 9, DPH announced the fourth human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in Massachusetts this year. That last human case detected involves a man in his 80s from Worcester County.
DPH discovered no human cases of EEE in 2023.
The risk level for the City of Worcester is low. However, the following municipalities in Worcester County have elevated ratings:
Critical: Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, Webster
High: Dudley, Harvard,, Northbridge, Uxbridge
Moderate: Auburn, Berlin, Bolton, Charlton, Clinton, Grafton, Hopedale, Lancaster, Leicester, Milford, Millbury, Mendon, Southbridge, Upton
Any municipality in Worcester County not listed above has a risk level of remote or low.
Symptoms of EEE include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, human cases of EEE are rare, but serious. About 30 percent of people who develop severe eastern equine encephalitis die, and many survivors have ongoing neurologic problems.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat EEE.
State officials have detected EEE in 95 collects mosquito samples across the state, including in Worcester County, this year.
Precautions to Take and Additional Information
To avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they can transmit, residents are encouraged to practice the 5 Ds:
- DRESS in long sleeves and pants when possible. Cover up during periods of mosquito activity.
- DEET is an effective insect repellent. Always follow the label instructions.
- DAWN & DUSK are mosquitoes’ most active periods.
- DRAIN water from containers weekly. Avoid standing water, such as rain collecting in open bins, buckets, or toys.
More information can be found on the mosquito-born diseases page on the state’s website.
