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Mosquito bites are annoying at best and at worst can lead to diseases like malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile virus. New reports show at least six states are detecting mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus – and humans have contracted the disease in four of those places.
Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts and New York have found mosquitoes carrying the potentially paralyzing disease, according to a report by Better life.
West Nile virus was also detected in Colorado for the first time this season, according to health officials and report by Denver ABC 7.
The Colorado Department of Health says mosquitoes are more prevalent this year thanks to warmer weather and more rain.
According to Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention (CDC), Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois and Iowa have confirmed cases in humans.
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At New York, officials informed residents on July 2 that two groups of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus in Rockland County. No humans have been reported to have contracted the disease in New York City.
Infected Rockland County mosquitoes were found and trapped in Orangetown and Clarkstown the week of June 21.
“This is usually the time of year when we expect an increase in West Nile virus activity, and these positive mosquito pools back it up,” said Patricia Schnabel, county health commissioner. Ruppert said in the statement.
July 1, Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a mosquito captured in the state was positive for West Nile virus. The mosquito was caught on June 29 and no one has been reported positive for the virus, according to Best Life.
“The [first] The season’s infected mosquito is always a signal that it’s time to start taking measures to prevent mosquito bites, ”said Acting DPH Commissioner Margret Cooke.
Mosquito bites and West Nile virus contraction have a strong correlation with each other.
In 2020, a year when most activities were limited, suspended or closed, there were eight documented cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts, DPH reported.
Compared to 2018, 49 cases of West Nile virus were reported, the most infectious year in the state.
“Most mosquitoes do not test positive for pathogenic viruses. However, a bite from a mosquito infected with West Nile virus can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death,” according to the county statement. Rockland.
People 50 and older have a higher risk of getting serious illness. West Nile virus could cause “neurological diseases and can also cause milder influenza-like illness, including fever, headache and body aches, nausea, and sometimes a rash and swollen lymph nodes.” according to Best Life.
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