SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts (WGGB/WSHM) — State health officials say a person has been exposed to West Nile virus for the second time this year.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement on Monday.
This came just days after the DPH reported that a person in Hampden County was first exposed to the virus.
(READ MORE: First human case of West Nile virus this year found in Hampden Co.)
This time, the DPH reports that a man in his 70s from Middlesex County was exposed to West Nile virus, marking the second human case this year.
The man was in an area known to be at medium risk, state health officials said.
“Many parts of the country, including Massachusetts, are seeing increasing WNV activity. We are in the peak season of the year when most people in Massachusetts are exposed to West Nile virus. Residents should continue to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites,” noted Dr. Robbie Goldstein, director of the health department.
On July 2, state health officials announced that the first WNV-positive mosquitoes had been found in Massachusetts. They were found in Quincy.
So far this year, a total of 145 positive samples have been found in mosquitoes in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties. The risk of human infection with WNV is moderate in the Greater Boston area (Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties) and parts of Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Plymouth and Worcester counties.
“It’s still summer and the risk from WNV will be elevated for some time,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown, adding, “People should use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient, wear clothing that reduces exposed skin, and consider postponing outdoor activities that fall in the evening or early morning.”
The MA DPH advises people to use insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or lemon eucalyptus oil (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the directions on the product label.
Note: DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age, and on older children only at concentrations of 30 percent or less. Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used on children under three years of age.
Pay attention to the peak times for mosquitoes. The hours between dusk and dawn are the peak biting time for many mosquitoes.
And wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors can also keep mosquitoes away from contact with your skin.
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