The state announced four new cases of West Nile virus among residents of Massachusetts on Thursday, including three men in Middlesex County and a girl under the age of 19 in Bristol County.
In a statement, the Ministry of Public Health said that when combined with the three cases reported this summer, this year’s total is seven compared to the five cases in 2019.
Infections in Middlesex County included men in their 40s, men in their 60s, and men in their 80s.
Based on information about where four recently infected people were exposed to West Nile, the state raised Cambridge, Newton, Somerville, and Watertown to a high risk of the virus.
Concord, Daiton, Fall River, Lexington, Lincoln, Swansea, Sudbury, Waltham, Wayland, Weston, and Winchester have increased the risk of West Nile to a moderate level.
According to the state, the virus was found primarily in areas around Boston, including parts of Middlesex County, Norfolk County, and Essex County.
West Nile is usually bitten by infected mosquitoes and infects humans. Everyone can get infected, but people over the age of 50 are at increased risk of getting a serious illness, the state says.
Most infected people do not get sick, but some have symptoms like fever and the flu.
The state encourages everyone to stay indoors from dusk to dawn, use insect repellents outdoors, and wear long sleeves and trousers to prevent mosquito bites. Homeowners need to remove or drain standing water to properly repair window screens.
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