In towns surrounding Ludlow, the threat level was raised to moderate.
This is an updated version of a story posted at 1:06 this afternoon.
LUDLOW - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Wednesday announced that the threat of West Nile Virus in the town is high, following the reporting of a case of the virus in a horse.
In towns surrounding Ludlow, the threat level was raised to moderate.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Wednesday also announced the first human case of West Nile Virus in the state this year.
The patient is a resident of Middlesex County north of Boston in his 60s, who was diagnosed with West Nile Virus in late July and remains hospitalized, but is recovering.
Based on the finding, health officials raised the West Nile Virus threat level to moderate in Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville and Watertown.
Francine Rusiecki, director of nurses in Ludlow, said an automated telephone call was made to residences in Ludlow explaining the elevated risk.
This undated photo provided by the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District shows a Culex pipiens, left, the primary mosquito that can transmit West Nile virus to humans, birds and other animals. It is produced from stagnant water. The bite of this mosquito is very gentle and usually unnoticed by people. At right is an Aedes vexans, primarily a nuisance mosquito produced from freshwater. It is a very aggressive biting mosquito but not an important transmitter of disease. “We wanted to make the community aware of the risk,” Rusiecki said. Most people infected with West Nile Virus will have no symptoms. The risk is greatest to the elderly, to infants and those with a compromised immune system.
When present, West Nile Virus symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, severe illness can occur.
“It’s a virus. You can only treat the symptoms,” Rusiecki said.
To reduce their risk, residents should take simple, common-sense steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites and the illnesses they can cause, state DPH Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria said. “Use insect repellent, cover up exposed skin and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and nighttime when mosquitoes are at their most active.”
Residents should also drain standing water on their property where possible, such as pool covers, buckets and wading pools and repair screens.
There were six cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts and one in a horse last year.