2 More Cases of West Nile Virus Confirmed in Massachusetts

Two more cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Massachusetts.

One of the people exposed was a woman in her 60s from Middlesex County, and the other was a man in his 50s from Suffolk County, per a press release from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) issued on Friday, Sept. 26.

This brings the total number of confirmed human cases in Massachusetts to eight this season, and the risk level for the virus has since been elevated to “high” in four areas of the state — Arlington, Chelsea, Medford and Waltham.

The risk level associated with the disease is now categorized as high in 47 municipalities and 210 cities and towns across Massachusetts, per the MDPH.

“We are almost out of the peak season for the spread of West Nile virus to people in Massachusetts,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in the release.

He added, “Over the last 10 years, 80 percent of people became sick in August or September, with 12 percent developing illness after October 1.”

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Goldstein said the risk for West Nile — which is spread through mosquitoes — will continue “until the first hard frost” of the year. Because of this, the MDPH encourages all residents “to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants to reduce exposed skin.”

There have been 1,137 reported human cases of West Nile virus in the U.S. this year as of Sept. 23, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The cases have been reported across 42 states, and of those cases, 742 were considered “neuroinvasive” — meaning they affected the nervous system.

For many, the virus results in flu-like symptoms, such as a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, per the CDC. Those infected — or who suspect they may be infected — should seek medical attention if they develop a high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness or paralysis.

Symptoms typically develop within two to six days — though they can take up to two weeks to develop in some people, per the CDC.

There is currently no treatment for West Nile virus, which is why medical experts stress that prevention is the best way to avoid the illness.