West Nile Virus Infected Mosquitos Found in Jamaica Plain

A mosquito pool in Jamaica Plain recently tested positive for West Nile Virus, reported the Boston Public Health Commission. While it is common to find West Nile Virus infected mosquitos around this time of year, and no human cases have been recorded, it is still important to remain vigilant to protect yourself. “It is typical to find West Nile Virus in Boston at this time of year due to the periods of hot weather,” said BPHC Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Lo via press release. “This does not mean the average person is at increased risk of getting WNV. However, people should still take simple precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”
WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, but it actually poses a very low risk to most people.

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Health Officials Raise West Nile Virus Risk to High After Season’s First Death

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A technician at the State Lab in Jamaica Plain examines a mosquito for West Nile Virus in July 2000. Credit: Darren McCollester via GettyImages

A Suffolk County man became the first human to die of West Nile Virus in the state this year. The news prompted the health officials to raise the alert level for the rare — but sometimes deadly — disease from moderate to high. State officials announced Tuesday the fourth and fifth confirmed cases of humans contracting the mosquito-borne illness. Both were men in their 60s.

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