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Boston, Massachusetts Local News
Mosquito-borne illness cases hit record high in 2024
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CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Mosquito-born illness cases this year are the highest recorded since 2019.
As of now, there have been 11 reported human cases of West Nile or Triple E this year. If this trend continues, we could see record-breaking numbers pending a warm winter.
Triple E and West Nile Virus are both arboviruses, transmitted by mosquitoes which are arthropods. These diseases are often mentioned together due to their similar symptoms, such as fever, headache, and nausea. Entomologist Natasha Wright points out the most at-risk groups along with potentially severe symptoms.
“We are getting cases this year,” says Entomologist Natasha Wright. “A lot of those cases are older individuals so 50s are higher and they’re getting issues like swelling of the brain and swelling of the membranes around the brain and usually leaves you either dead or disabled for the rest of your life.”
While Triple E and West Nile cases are both up this year, the people we’ve talked to have not shown much concern. Risk levels for West Nile Virus in are moderate in Franklin, Hampden, and Berkshire County. Triple E in Western Massachusetts is at remote and low risk. Diego Layfield from Springfield shares how he mitigates mosquito encounters.
Diego Layfield of Springfield told 22News, “If I’m fishing with the sundown, try to wear like long sleeves bug spray, but besides that it’s I feel like there’s nothing else much you can do, not thinking twice about mosquitoes. The only thing I’m thinking about is just how annoying the bites are afterwards.”
While West Nile Virus infections are more common than EEE, only around 20% of infected people experience mild symptoms and less than one percent develop severe illnesses. Triple E is a much more severe illness. An outbreak in Massachusetts in 2019 resulted in 12 infections where 6 people died.
It’s always important to protect yourself from mosquitoes by using bug repellant, wearing long sleeves, and removing standing water from your home.
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Jack Wu
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