DPH announces season’s 1st human case of West Nile

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recently announced the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in the commonwealth this year, involving a woman in her 70s who was exposed in Middlesex County.

Additionally, another mosquito sample collected in Canton tested positive for WNV — bringing the total to three for the year. Also in the past two weeks, infected mosquito samples were found in the nearby towns of Norwood, Walpole, Sharon, Holbrook and Quincy.

“West Nile virus can be a very serious disease, and its presence in mosquitoes remains high right now in Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. “While September brings cooler air and the return to school for many in the state, the risk from WNV is going to be elevated for some time. Residents should continue to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”

The State Public Health Laboratory confirmed the first WNV-positive mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year on June 17. Since then, there have been 319 WNV-positive mosquito samples detected across 12 counties, as well as one animal (a goat) that was found to be infected with West Nile virus.

The risk for WNV is high in 10 municipalities in Suffolk and Middlesex counties and moderate across most of eastern Massachusetts, including all of Norfolk County.

In addition to WNV, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has also been detected in 18 mosquito samples in Massachusetts this year. Canton remains in the low-risk category for EEE; however, the risk level has been raised to moderate in nearby Sharon and Foxborough, along with a dozen communities immediately south of those towns in Bristol and Plymouth counties — a historic area of EEE activity.

“The mosquitoes will be with us until the first hard frost,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “People should use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient, clothing to reduce exposed skin, and consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning.”

Animal owners can also help reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools — especially after heavy rains. Horses should be kept in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure, and owners should speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent EEE and West Nile virus. If an animal is suspected of having either virus, owners are required to report it to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health (617-626-1795) and the Department of Public Health (617-983-6800).

For more information on mosquito-borne diseases, go to mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Aug 29 2025. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.