A 70-year-old woman is the first person in Massachusetts to be diagnosed with West Nile virus in 2022, health officials said Thursday.
The woman was infected in Suffolk County, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
“While significant dry conditions across the Commonwealth have kept populations of the Culex mosquito species most likely to spread WNV relatively small, today’s news is an important reminder that we all need to take action to protect ourselves.” ourselves and our families from mosquito bites,” Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke said in a statement.
Last year, 11 people in Massachusetts were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus, officials said, which can cause fever and flu-like symptoms. The the first human case of 2021 it was announced on September 1.
West Nile was first detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts in a sample collected in Easton on July 11.authorities said.
In the US, a repellent is being developed that would put an end to the threat of annoying and dangerous insects.
How to protect yourself from West Nile Virus
- Avoid mosquito bites: Apply insect repellant when you are outdoors and use a repellent that contains DEET (except in infants under two months of age, and not in concentrations greater than 30% in older children).
- Wear long clothing – Long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors can help keep mosquitoes off your skin.
- Mosquito-proof your home: Drain standing water, which is where mosquitoes lay eggs. Drain or throw away items in your home that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty out unused flower pots and wading pools. Install or repair screens on all your windows and doors so you have tight-fitting screens that keep mosquitoes out.
- Protect Your Animals: Owners should talk to their veterinarian about mosquito repellants approved for use on animals and vaccines to prevent WNV and eastern equine encephalitis. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners should notify the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and DPH by calling 617-983-6800.
You can find more information, including all positive results for West Nile virus and EEE on state website or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.