The risk for West Nile Virus in Cambridge, Somerville and five more metro Boston communities was raised Monday to high as the state revealed a second human case in Massachusetts this year – like the first, exposed in Middlesex County.
The first case was Thursday, a man in his 90s. The second case was a man in his 60s.
“The second case does not live in Cambridge, but nearby,” Cambridge health officials said Monday.
On Thursday, risk levels were elevated to “moderate” in 70 communities in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth and Worcester counties – except that risk levels were raised to moderate in Middlesex County on July 23 after testing detected the virus in mosquitoes collected June 16 and June 21 in Somerville.
Risk levels as of Monday are elevated to “high” in Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, Brookline, Everett, Newton and Watertown.
“We are currently in peak season for WNV in mosquitoes, and the risk for many across Massachusetts is high,” public health commissioner Robbie Goldstein said. “Those who are older or have compromised immune systems are especially at risk. I want to remind everyone to continue to use repellent, cover up with clothing when the weather permits, consider moving indoors during dusk to dawn hours when mosquitoes are biting, and make sure to empty anything that may be collecting water outside your home.”
Residents can avoid bites by using insect repellent when going outdoors; wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks; and scheduling outdoor activities to avoid the hours from dusk to dawn.
At home, drain standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs – check rain gutters and drains, empty unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently – and install tightly fitting window and door screens or repair damaged screens to help keep mosquitoes outside.
West Nile might cause some infected people fever, diarrhea, joint pain and headache and long-term fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is possible to “develop severe illness, which can affect the central nervous system or illness that results in hospitalization or death.” People over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
Eastern equine encephalitis virus was confirmed Wednesday in two mosquito samples collected in Kingston in Plymouth County. There have been no EEE human or animal cases reported this year.
