West Nile Virus On North Shore: Essex County Man Is MA's 12th Confirmed Human Case

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Salem are among the North Shore cities and towns that the state Department of Public Health said are now considered "moderate" risk for West Nile virus after a man in his 50s who was exposed in Essex County became the 12th confirmed human case of the mosquito-borne virus season.

The DPH also raised the risk level in Essex, Manchester and Wenham.

This summer has included unusually high rates of both West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis across the state. The 12th human case of WNV confirmed is twice as many as were confirmed across the state in 2023.

"The risk for disease will continue until the first hard frost, so we continue to recommend that people take steps to protect themselves," state Health Director Robbie Goldstein said.

The Swampscott Health Department last week urged residents to take extra precautions when outside after Swampscott became the latest North Shore city or town where mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus.

There have been 330 WNV-positive mosquito samples so far this year detected from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties.

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.)