The state has raised the risk level for West Nile virus to high in Cambridge, Somerville and several neighboring communities. The state Department of Public Health said Tuesday it took the action “as a result” of two human cases of the mosquito-borne virus: one a man in his 60s exposed to the virus in Suffolk County; the other a man also in his 60s and exposed in Norfolk County.
That followed a sample of mosquitoes collected July 9 in Cambridge testing positive for the virus, according to state data. There were positive mosquito samples collected in Everett and in Malden more recently, on Aug. 13, and numerous samples from Boston that have tested positive.
A high risk level means more people in the community may get infected with the virus, the state health department said. It recommended that residents over 50 or those who are immunocompromised try to avoid outdoor activity when mosquitoes are most active, from dusk to dawn.
The Cambridge Public Health Department advised residents to prevent mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and pants and socks when outside and using insect repellent. People should mosquito-proof their homes by using tight-fitting screens and draining standing water, the department said.
Most people don’t get sick from the virus, but those over 60 or who have certain chronic conditions are more likely to get seriously ill, the health department said. Two of the people diagnosed with the virus this year have meningitis and the other two have encephalitis, according to state health officials. Both involve inflammation of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord.
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