First Mass. Human Case Of West Nile Diagnosed In Middlesex County

BOSTON (CBS) – A Middlesex County man was diagnosed with West Nile virus, the first human case discovered in Massachusetts this year.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Friday afternoon that the man, who is in his 60s, was diagnosed with West Nile after testing was completed by the Hinton State Laboratory Institute.

According to the DPH, the man remains hospitalized, but is recovering.

There was no information on where in Middlesex County the man lives.

"We're in our peak season for possible West Nile virus human infection," said DPH state public health veterinarian Dr. Catherine Brown in a Friday announcement. "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."

Testing is ongoing to determine where the man was exposed to the infected mosquitoes. The DPH will make decisions on West Nile risk areas on the results of its investigation.

There were eight cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts in 2013. The DPH said the majority of people who are infected will suffer no symptoms, though others may have fever and flu-like symptoms.

Also on Friday, the  New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced  the first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis in the Granite State this season in an adult from Conway. The most recent previous human case  of  EEE  in New Hampshire was confirmed in 2009.

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