Public Health Announcement
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed today the first human infection of the West Nile virus in the state for 2023, involving a woman in her 70s. The exposure took place in Middlesex County, as stated in a press release issued on Tuesday.
This revelation comes amid heightened exposure risks to the West Nile virus across numerous communities in Massachusetts. Health officials are urging residents to implement measures to avoid mosquito bites when enjoying outdoor activities.
Recent Findings
According to the release, specific details regarding the location of the woman’s exposure in Middlesex County and the timeline were not disclosed. The presence of the virus in mosquitoes in Massachusetts was first noted when positive test samples were recorded on June 17, as reported by The Boston Globe. Subsequently, a goat in Lunenburg tested positive for the virus in July, marking the first animal case this year.
Increased Risk Levels
By August, the risk of West Nile virus exposure in Boston was escalated to “high” status after multiple mosquito samples tested positive in various city neighborhoods including Hyde Park and West Roxbury.
“West Nile virus can be a very serious disease and its presence in mosquitoes remains high right now in Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein.
Despite the arrival of cooler weather, Goldstein indicated that the number of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus will likely remain elevated for some time.
Mosquito Testing Results
As of the current report, more than 300 mosquito samples have tested positive across 12 out of 14 counties in Massachusetts. The past month has seen increased risks for contracting the virus in several towns, including Acton, Bedford, Billerica, Boston, Brookline, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Dracut, Lowell, and Newton, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH).
In the previous year, Massachusetts documented 19 human cases of the virus, as per the DPH dashboard.
Preventative Measures
Residents may lower their risk of exposure by using mosquito repellents that include EPA-registered ingredients like DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus. It’s also advisable to limit outdoor activities during early morning and evening hours, and to wear long sleeves and pants as additional protection against bites.
“The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes,” the DPH advised.
With news of the first human case surfacing as summer transitions into fall, state epidemiologist Catherine M. Brown noted, “the mosquitoes will be with us until the first hard frost.”
For more information, Claire Thornton can be reached at claire.thornton@globe.com. Follow her on X @claire_thornto.
