4 New Human Cases Of West Nile Virus Found In Middlesex County

WATERTOWN, MA — Four more human cases of West Nile Virus were reported in Middlesex County on Thursday. There are three other human WNV cases identified in Massachusetts this year, bringing the total cases to seven.

Three of the four new cases were found in men — one in his 40s, one in this 60s, and one in his 80s. All were exposed to the virus in Middlesex County. A woman under the age of 19 was also exposed in Bristol County.

Four communities in Middlesex County had their risk designation elevated to high and eight had their designation elevated to moderate.

Communities now designated high risk for WNV are as follows:

• Cambridge
• Newton
• Somerville
• Watertown

Communities now designated moderate risk for WNV are as follows:

• Concord
• Lexington
• Lincoln
• Sudbury
• Waltham
• Wayland
• Weston
• Winchester
• Dighton
• Fall River
• Swansea

Most WNV virus activity this year has been focused in an area around Boston and includes parts of Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex counties.

WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur. Using insect repellent, long sleeves and pants and avoiding peak mosquito hours are all effective ways to prevent being bitten.