Massachusetts man diagnosed with West Nile virus

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced today that a Middlesex County man has the first reported human case of the West Nile virus in the state this year.

The man was diagnosed at the Hinton State Laboratory institute. The patient, who is in his 60s, remains hospitalized but is recovering, state officials said.

“We’re in our peak season for possible West Nile virus human infection,” said DPH State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Catherine Brown in a prepared statement. “We need to continue to take steps to protect ourselves against mosquito bites by using insect repellant, covering up, and reducing outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active.”

The patient was confirmed today to be infected with the virus after a positive test at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute in Jamaica Plain. Mass. DPH is conducting an investigation to determine exactly where the patient was exposed to mosquitoes infected with West Nile. In the Greater Boston, health officials have found mosquito pools infected with the virus in South Boston, Arlington, Hyde Park, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Roslindale.

This is the first human case of West Nile in 2014. In 2013, there were eight cases in Massachusetts residents, none of which were fatal. Symptoms of West Nile virus in humans include fever and flu-like symptoms. People with compromised immune systems are most at-risk, including children and the elderly.

Agencies/Canadajournal