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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on Thursday, Sept. 9 today the new cases were found in a man and a woman in Middlesex County.
According to DPH, the two people are a man in his 50s and a man in his 70s.
In addition, on Wednesday, Sept. 8, DPH announced the first human case of the virus identified in Massachusetts this year was also likely exposed in Middlesex County.
There have been no deaths this year associated with the virus, the department said.
The department said the risk level for West Nile Virus has been raised from low to moderate across the state, including in the Western Massachusetts towns of Agawam, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Springfield, and West Springfield.
In 2020, there were five human cases of infection identified in Massachusetts.
The virus is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
While the virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease.
Most people infected will have no symptoms. When present, symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illnesses can occur.
There are several things you can do to reduce the chances of contracting the virus including:
- Applying insect repellent when outdoors
- Reduce time outside during peak mosquito hours, from dusk to dawn
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks outdoors
- Drain any standing water in yards where mosquitos are likely to breed
- Make sure screens do not have any holes.
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