GOOD MORNING. THAT VARSITY FOOTBALL GAME IS SET TO KICK OFF IN JUST ABOUT TWO HOURS, 10:00 AGAINST NEWTON NORTH. HERE WE’VE SEEN SOME PLAYERS POURING IN. THEY ARE DEFINITELY FEELING THE ANTICIPATION BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T GET THEIR FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS LAST NIGHT. AND THAT’S ALL BECAUSE OF THE MOSQUITOES AND THE WEST NILE VIRUS. THE CALL TO POSTPONE THE GAME WAS MADE AFTER THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TWO NEW WEST NILE INFECTIONS. MIDDLESEX COUNTY NOW HAS TWO CONFIRMED HUMAN CASES. NATICK, ALONG WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES, ARE LISTED AS HIGH RISK FOR THE VIRUS. STUDENTS WERE LEFT PRETTY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE FIRST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON RESCHEDULED. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF FUN TO WATCH THE, YOU KNOW, SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS AND SENIORS PLAY THEIR HOME OPENER, BUT COULDN’T DO THAT, SO IT’S UNFORTUNATE. NOTHING LIKE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS KNOW EXACTLY. SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES MUST BE WRAPPED UP BEFORE 7 P.M. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THAT’S BECAUSE PEAK HOURS FOR MOSQUITOES ARE FROM DUSK TO DAWN. NOW, ABOUT 20% OF PEOPLE WHO DO GET THE VIRUS, THEY DO DEVELOP FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. BUT FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, THEY MIGHT NOT EVEN KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THE VIRUS. LIVE IN NATICK. TH
Two more human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Massachusetts, bringing the total number for 2025 to four, the Department of Public Health said.The two latest cases involve a man in his 40s who was likely exposed to the virus in Hampden County and a man in his 80s with exposure in Middlesex County.As a result, risk levels for West Nile virus have been elevated to high in Ashland, Framingham, Marlborough, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury and Wayland.The Natick-Newton high school football game was moved from Friday night to Saturday morning to lessen the risk. The earlier cases involved a woman in her 60s who was exposed in Essex County and a woman in her 70s who was exposed in Middlesex County.After the previous two cases, risk levels were elevated to high in Belmont, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Revere, Saugus, Somerville, Wakefield and Watertown.”Massachusetts is in peak season for the spread of West Nile virus,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. “While the temperatures have dropped slightly, this is the time of year when most people get exposed to the virus. We encourage everyone to use mosquito repellent, to wear clothing to reduce exposed skin and to empty anything that may be collecting water outside your home.”The first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in the state this year were announced on June 17. Since then, 376 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus so far this season from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties. There has also been one animal case of West Nile virus this year in a goat. The risk for West Nile virus is now high in 28 municipalities in Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex and Worcester counties and moderate in 175 cities and towns in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties.In addition to West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis has also been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year. There have been 21 EEE-positive mosquito samples and no human or animal cases so far this year.While the West Nile virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people bitten by infected mosquitoes experience no symptoms, while about 20% of those who become infected can experience symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands.People may also develop a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.
Two more human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Massachusetts, bringing the total number for 2025 to four, the Department of Public Health said.
The two latest cases involve a man in his 40s who was likely exposed to the virus in Hampden County and a man in his 80s with exposure in Middlesex County.
As a result, risk levels for West Nile virus have been elevated to high in Ashland, Framingham, Marlborough, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury and Wayland.
The Natick-Newton high school football game was moved from Friday night to Saturday morning to lessen the risk.
The earlier cases involved a woman in her 60s who was exposed in Essex County and a woman in her 70s who was exposed in Middlesex County.
After the previous two cases, risk levels were elevated to high in Belmont, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Revere, Saugus, Somerville, Wakefield and Watertown.
“Massachusetts is in peak season for the spread of West Nile virus,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. “While the temperatures have dropped slightly, this is the time of year when most people get exposed to the virus. We encourage everyone to use mosquito repellent, to wear clothing to reduce exposed skin and to empty anything that may be collecting water outside your home.”
The first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in the state this year were announced on June 17. Since then, 376 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus so far this season from Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties. There has also been one animal case of West Nile virus this year in a goat.
The risk for West Nile virus is now high in 28 municipalities in Suffolk, Middlesex, Essex and Worcester counties and moderate in 175 cities and towns in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk and Worcester counties.
In addition to West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis has also been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year. There have been 21 EEE-positive mosquito samples and no human or animal cases so far this year.
While the West Nile virus can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease. Most people bitten by infected mosquitoes experience no symptoms, while about 20% of those who become infected can experience symptoms like fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands.
People may also develop a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.
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