1st Massachusetts West Nile death of 2015 confirmed

“His Cause of Death has been determined to be West Nile Virus and end-stage stroke”, a news release from Preston’s office said.

The case was reported in Hinds County. The Vanderburgh County Health Department announced Tuesday that one person in that county had died from the virus.

All testing sources confirmed 84 WNV-positive mosquitoes this season, a 67.8 percent spike from 2014, the department said.

The man was in his 60s and lived in Suffolk County, and probably contracted the virus in his home county, officials said.

State records show that 204 people had nervous system infections and 19 of them died in 2002.

West Nile Fever is another type of illness that can occur in people who become infected with the virus.

The insects are tested for both West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

One of those cases is in Caddo Parish. Humans commonly get West Nile Virus by being bitten by infected mosquitoes. When birds migrate south in the fall, mosquitos are more likely to bite and infect humans. A follow-up analysis of a third chicken located near Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg that first tested September 8 confirmed the positive test for the virus.

Spraying the affected areas – the Tower Drive area of North Knoxville, the Fourth Avenue area near downtown Knoxville and the Halls area – will reduce the mosquito populations and the risk of the virus spreading to humans, according to health officials. Residents should avoid being outside at these times. If a resident has an ornamental pond, contact the Solano County Mosquito Abatement District at 437-1116 for a free mosquito fish.

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors: Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label.

Place screens on windows, doors, porches and patios.