West Nile virus cases rise in New York and Massachusetts

Health officials in New York and Massachusetts are issuing warnings as West Nile virus cases and mosquito activity increase. In New York, confirmed human cases have been reported in several counties, including Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and Westchester. Positive mosquito pools have also been detected in the Bronx, Nassau, Suffolk, and several Hudson Valley counties.

In Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health has raised the risk level to moderate for 10 Berkshire communities following the report of a sixth human case. The case involved a man in his 70s in Suffolk County who developed encephalitis.

Health experts note that while the virus often causes mild flu-like symptoms, it can lead to severe, life-threatening illness, particularly in individuals over 50 or 65. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus. Officials advise residents to use insect repellent, wear long sleeves, and eliminate standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.