BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced three additional human cases of West Nile virus in the state.
Health officials said the cases include a man in his 60s who was exposed in Suffolk County, a man of unknown age also exposed in Suffolk County, and a man in his 90s exposed in Middlesex County.
There have been 11 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus this year.
Officials said most of the human cases were exposed in Middlesex and Suffolk counties.
Risk levels for West Nile virus are high in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Watertown, and Winthrop.
Health officials announced the state’s first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes on June 16.
How to reduce your risk
- Apply insect repellent when outdoors.
- Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Be aware of peak mosquito hours
- The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes.
- Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites.
- Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
- Mosquito-proof your home
- Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
- Install or repair screens.
- Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors.
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