West Nile Virus Confirmed In Middlesex County Man

A Middlesex County man in his 60s is the state's third human case of West Nile virus, state health officials said Thursday. The Massachusetts Department of Health said the man was exposed to the virus last month.

The man is the second person from Middlesex County to contract the virus this year. The other victim was a man from Plymouth County.

Despite Thursday's announcement, the state did not raise risk levels for West Nile. Fifteen communities remained at moderate risk for the virus.

"We continue to emphasize the need for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites," said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel. "Although mosquito populations are declining, some risk will continue until the first hard frost."

West Nile virus can be spread through an infected mosquito's bite. Most people will have no symptoms, but some can get a fever and aches and an even smaller amount can get seriously ill.

Eastern equine encephalitis, a similar but more deadly mosquito-borne virus, has killed three and infected a dozen in Massachusetts this summer and fall.