West Nile Confirmed In MA: State Finds First Positive Sample Of 2024

QUINCY, MA — State officials confirmed the first positive sample of West Nile virus of 2024 this week after testing mosquitoes caught in Quincy, the state Department of Public Health said Tuesday.

The positive sample comes slightly earlier than in 2023, when officials confirmed the first West Nile sample days after July 4 in Brookline. No human or animal cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts so far this summer.

"This is about the time of year that we expect to start finding West Nile virus in mosquitoes," Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said in a news release. "It is an important reminder that people should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. WNV can cause serious illness, and there are simple things that you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones."

In 2023, six people in Massachusetts contracted West Nile. Mosquitoes spread the potentially serious virus through bites. As of Tuesday, most areas of the state carry a "remote" risk of contracting West Nile, according to DPH, but some parts — including most of Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex and Worcester counties — are at a slightly higher "low" risk.

RELATED: EEE Could Return To MA In Summer 2024, Health Officials Believe

The more severe Eastern Equine Encephalitis has not been detected in Massachusetts so far this summer. Several mosquitoes in southern Worcester County tested positive for EEE in the fall, but the virus did not spread to humans last year.

Health officials advise residents to avoid mosquito bites no matter the local disease risk by wearing repellent with DEET or picaridin, wearing long-sleeve pants and shirts, and minimizing activity during peak mosquito feeding times around dawn and dusk.