Less than a week after the Boston Public Health Commission announced that a mosquito pool in Fenway tested positive for West Nile virus, a 70-year old man from Plymouth became the first to contract the mosquito-borne disease.

The man is recovering after being hospitalized on Monday according to statement by the Boston Public Health Commission.

West Nile virus can cause flu-like symptoms including fever. In the most severe cases, the virus can cause meningitis or encephalitis. People over the age of 50 are at the highest risk. Most people infected, however, will not experience symptoms of the virus.

There were 33 reported cases of the disease last year, starting in mid-August. A Worcester man, who also suffered from other health problems, died after contracting the disease last September, according to a report by the Boston Herald.

Mosquito Pools in Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury also tested positive for the disease during last week’s test. Mosquito pools in Hyde Park and Roslindale tested positive earlier this summer.

West Nile is the less severe of two mosquito-borne viruses detected in Massachusetts. Easter equine encephalitis, which killed three people last year, claimed the life on 85-year old Janet Dignan from Norfolk County, last week.

Dignan’s death caused the state to raise the EEE alert level to “high” in Hanover, Hanson, Rockland, Weymouth and Whitman. Belchertown remains the only town in Massachusetts with a “critical” alert level.

Both West Nile and EEE are in their peak seasons.

“Residents need to continue to take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites: use insect repellant, cover up, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active,” Dr. Catherine Brown, the state’s public health veterinarian, said in a press release.

To see if your area is at risk below. You can also click here  for additional information

West Nile Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Map