2 More MA West Nile Virus Cases Confirmed; 9 New High-Risk Communities

MASSACHUSETTS — The increased risk of West Nile virus in Massachusetts this summer included two new confirmed cases on Tuesday and led to nine more cities and towns being added to the state Department of Health list of "high-risk" communities.

The DPH said on Tuesday afternoon that two new cases were a man in his 50s in Suffolk County and a man in his 80s in southern Middlesex County.

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The communities of Saugus, Arlington, Belmont, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop were added as "high-risk" communities.

"The risk of West Nile virus in Massachusetts will continue until the first hard frost. While the temperatures may be a bit cooler, September is still within the peak time for West Nile virus activity in Massachusetts," said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. "As we all adjust to our post-summer schedules, one routine that everyone should continue is using mosquito repellent when outdoors."

There have been 286 WNV-positive mosquito samples so far this year detected from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. The risk of human infection with WNV is moderate or high in Greater Boston (Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties) and is also elevated in parts of Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Plymouth, and Worcester counties.

West Nile virus is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The six confirmed cases already this season matches the total number from all of last summer.

Residents throughout the state are advised to avoid going outdoors, especially in wooded areas, around the hours of dusk and dawn when mosquito activity is highest and to wear long clothing when out at those times.

The state DPH advised the use of a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to the instructions on the product label.

Residents are also asked to clear standing water on properties that can be used as mosquito breeding areas.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)