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Number of human cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts rises to 14

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed on Tuesday the 13th and 14th human cases of West Nile virus in the state this year.

The most recent cases are a woman in her 60's from Suffolk County and a person in their 60's from Berkshire County. The woman is currently being treated at a hospital, and the 14th case was someone exposed outside of Massachusetts.

“It’s not surprising that we are seeing more cases than usual this year given the intense mosquito activity that has been detected during the season,’’ said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH.

So far this year, more than 500 mosquito samples collected in Massachusetts have tested positive for West Nile.

On Monday, state and Boston health officials confirmed the 12th human case of the virus this season, a man in his 50s from Suffolk County who’s also hospitalized.

Suffolk County has seen six human cases of West Nile virus this year.

Last year, there were six human cases of the virus in the state.