Massachusetts health officials this week announced four new human cases of West Nile virus, bringing the state to a total of seven this year.
Three men and a woman were infected, officials said. One man in his 40s, one in his 60s, and one in his 80s came in contact with the virus in Middlesex County. The fourth case occurred in a woman under 19 years of age. The revelation was made in Bristol County, according to a Massachusetts Public Health report.
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Their terms were not specified.
West Nile virus – first reported in the U.S. Born in 1999 – it is usually transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Although the side effects can be serious, most people are infected, have no symptoms and recover completely.
A small percentage of people infected with West Nile virus – about 1 in 5 – have a fever and may experience side effects, headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rashes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rarely, 1 in 150 people infected with a mosquito-borne disease can develop a serious illness such as spinal cord or brain inflammation.
The Mayo Clinic warns that older people, as well as people with pre-existing medical conditions, are more susceptible to the virus.
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Wearing insect repellents and protective clothing, as well as watering around gardens and homes where mosquitoes lay their eggs, can help reduce the risk of sustaining mosquito bites, ultimately reducing the risk of developing West Nile virus.
This year, seven human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in two states. The year 2019 saw an increase of five in the state.
