Giuseppe
Emeritus
[Source: Massachusetts Department of Health, full text: (LINK). Edited.]
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For Immediate release - October 09, 2012
State Health Officials Announce Two Additional Human Cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts
Residents urged to continue taking precautions against mosquito bites until first hard frost
BOSTON ? The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced two additional cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state.
The first case is a resident of Greater Boston in her 60s who has recovered from her illness.
The second case is a resident of Greater Boston in his 70s who is also recovering.
Current WNV threat levels in the area are not affected by these findings; however these threat levels may be adjusted based on the results of further epidemiological investigation.
?It?s important to note that mosquitoes continue to be present in our environment even as temperatures have dropped, and people need to continue to take common-sense precautions until the first hard overnight frost,? said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria.
?Use insect repellant, cover up, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active.?
WNV infected mosquitoes have been found in 109 communities from nine counties so far during 2012, and health officials predict that the state is on track to have the greatest number of WNV-positive mosquito pools since WNV was first seen in Massachusetts in 2000.
There have now been 22 human cases of WNV in Massachusetts this year. There were six cases of WNV in Massachusetts residents and one in a horse last year.
While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms.
When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.
(?)
More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results from 2012, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.
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-State Health Officials Announce Two Additional Human Cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts
Residents urged to continue taking precautions against mosquito bites until first hard frost
BOSTON ? The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced two additional cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state.
The first case is a resident of Greater Boston in her 60s who has recovered from her illness.
The second case is a resident of Greater Boston in his 70s who is also recovering.
Current WNV threat levels in the area are not affected by these findings; however these threat levels may be adjusted based on the results of further epidemiological investigation.
?It?s important to note that mosquitoes continue to be present in our environment even as temperatures have dropped, and people need to continue to take common-sense precautions until the first hard overnight frost,? said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria.
?Use insect repellant, cover up, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active.?
WNV infected mosquitoes have been found in 109 communities from nine counties so far during 2012, and health officials predict that the state is on track to have the greatest number of WNV-positive mosquito pools since WNV was first seen in Massachusetts in 2000.
There have now been 22 human cases of WNV in Massachusetts this year. There were six cases of WNV in Massachusetts residents and one in a horse last year.
While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms.
When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur.
(?)
More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results from 2012, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.
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