Norfolk County Man Contracted West Nile Virus, State Confirms

By Mary MacDonald

The state Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that a man in his 30s, who lives in Norfolk County, has the second confirmed case of the West Nile Virus.

In a release, the department urges residents of the state to protect themselves from mosquitoes, which can transmit the virus.

The man was diagnosed in late August, according to the release. He was hospitalized, but has been discharged. Testing was completed at the Hinton State Laboratory Institute Wednesday, the state reported.

The state will conduct an epidemiological investigation to determine where the man was most likely exposed to infected mosquitoes.

“It’s clear that the threat of mosquito-borne illness is present throughout the Commonwealth,” said DPH State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Catherine Brown. “It’s critically important that people across the state take steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites – especially with the warm temperatures and outdoor activities planned for this long Labor Day Weekend.”

The first human case of West Nile this year was a Plymouth County man in his 70s, who is recovering, the state reported.