Residents urged to use bug spray to avoid getting bitten
AP Photo/Andre Penner
File photo: Mosquito on skin
SOURCE: AP Photo/Andre Penner
West Nile virus found in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for first time in 2020
Residents urged to use bug spray to avoid getting bitten
The West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito in Massachusetts for the first time in 2020, health officials from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Thursday. The presence of of the virus was found in two mosquito samples collected July 7 in the town of Belmont in Middlesex County. Health officials said no human or animal cases of West Nile virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been detected so far this year. EEE detected in mosquito in Mass. for first time in 2020Authorities said there was no elevated risk level or risk-level change associated with this finding.“The first WNV positive mosquito sample has been identified this year in Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. West Nile virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 5 human cases of West Nile virus in 2019 and 49 human cases of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts in 2018 – the greatest number of cases the commonwealth has ever had in a single year. Most people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms. West Nile virus symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.Click here for a town-by-town breakdown of West Nile virus and EEE
BELMONT, Mass. —
The West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito in Massachusetts for the first time in 2020, health officials from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Thursday.
The presence of of the virus was found in two mosquito samples collected July 7 in the town of Belmont in Middlesex County.
Health officials said no human or animal cases of West Nile virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been detected so far this year.
EEE detected in mosquito in Mass. for first time in 2020
Authorities said there was no elevated risk level or risk-level change associated with this finding.
“The first WNV positive mosquito sample has been identified this year in Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH.
West Nile virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
There were 5 human cases of West Nile virus in 2019 and 49 human cases of West Nile virus infection in Massachusetts in 2018 – the greatest number of cases the commonwealth has ever had in a single year.
Most people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms. West Nile virus symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.
Click here for a town-by-town breakdown of West Nile virus and EEE
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