Do we have cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts this year? We do have a few cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts in 2022. As of October 4, 2022, the CDC reports that Massachusetts has had five confirmed cases and no deaths this year. This is half the number of confirmed cases in Massachusetts for 2021.
West Nile virus was confirmed for the first time this year in Massachusetts on July 14, 2022. Mosquito samples are collected throughout Massachusetts for disease testing. On July 14, a sample taken from Easton MA was found to have carriers of West Nile virus. Should Massachusetts residents be concerned with this recent finding?
West Nile virus was discovered in mosquito samples in the Northeast about a month ago. On Thursday, a Massachusetts resident was diagnosed with the virus, the sixth human case since the beginning of the month. The Department of Public Health confirmed that this diagnosis is the first human case in someone under the age of 50. Approximately eight U.S. states have been put on high alert, in what is considered peak season for this mosquito-borne illness. Other northeast states include New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Delaware. According to the Centers for Disease Control, now is the time to ramp up or maintain preventative measures against mosquito bites.