First West Nile Virus case reported in Mass.

BOSTON (WGGB/WSHM) - Massachusetts health officials have confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus this year.

A man in his 90’s who was exposed in Middlesex County. With mosquitoes testing positive statewide, the Department of Public Health has raised the West Nile risk to moderate in cities and towns throughout western Mass.

Officials urged people, especially older adults and those with weakened immune systems to use EPA approved bug spray, wear long sleeves at dusk and dawn, and dump any standing water around their homes.

This alert comes one day EEE was detected in mosquitoes in Plymouth County.