Massachusetts health officials are reporting that two bay state residents have died from encephalitis caused by the West Nile Virus.
The West Nile deaths are the first ever confirmed in the region. The deceased are an 87 year old south Boston woman and an 81 year old Weymouth man. Rosanne Pawelec of the Massachusetts department of health says the number of infections has risen this year.
"The two deaths bring to a total of eleven human cases of west Nile virus disease diagnosed in Massachusetts. And that includes two cases doctors here are pretty certain contracted the virus in other state --- Missouri and Michigan."
Pawlec says more infections are likely in the next several weeks.
"In other states the time when people were at highest risk of infection has been earlier in the season. In Massachusetts and this was evidenced last fall as well right now into September and October."
According to Pawlec, scientists have yet to figure out why that?s the case, ? Dr. Jose Montero, chief of NH?s office of disease control says it?s just coincidence New Hampshire has yet to see the infections found in Massachusetts.
"We know that we have west Nile virus in the state and we know that it is in several different places from east to west?..but there is no reason to panic."
Montero points out most people who get west nile virus recover. But he says the virus does seem stronger than usual this year. The state recommends people of all ages use bug spray and wear long sleeves. Officials are also asking people to get rid of standing water where mosquitos breed. Those are all standard precautions, but anti-mosquito efforts may soon be bolstered by increased federal efforts. US Senator Judd Gregg today introduced legislation that would direct the centers for disease control to up its research on insects that transmit human diseases. The measure also earmarks100 million dollars to aid state mosquito abatement programs.
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