West Nile virus detected in Boston mosquitoes

West Nile virus detected in Boston mosquitoes

Officials at the Boston Public Health Commission confirmed that mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus have been detected in Hub area for the first time in 2006. Officials added that the mosquitoes were the type that mainly infected birds, but could also bite humans.

Meanwhile a 10-year-old boy from Pilsen, who was Chicago's first West Nile case this year, has been released from the hospital after undergoing treatment. Tim Hadac, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Public Health, revealed that many more cases of West Nile virus were confirmed over the weekend and announcements regarding the cases would be made over the week.

Dry and hot weather is "ideal breeding conditions for the Northern house mosquito," Hadac said. Public health commissioner Terry Mason said that conditions were similar to last year, but spraying insecticide had cut the number of mosquitoes by 75 percent. "Even so, we had 41 cases and one death in the city," he said.

Over in California, Santa Clara County is now the "most fertile breeding ground for West Nile virus." A large number of birds have succumbed to the virus here than any other county. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that West Nile cases have dropped appreciably over the years, but may cause sporadic deaths. The viral infection presents as fever, rash and fatigue. One in 100 people develop severe symptoms and may die, the CDC said.