West Nile Strikes Again, Despite Cooler Weather

A 75-year-old Boston man is being treated for West Nile virus — the second case of the mosquito-borne illness in the city this year and the sixth confirmed case statewide.

There have also been at least two cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a potentially fatally disease that is also spread by mosquitos.

A wet spring and warm summer intensified mosquito activity this summer, and insects carrying the virus have been found in several Boston neighborhoods.

While the cooler weather has reduced the number of mosquitos, the threat of the illnesses will remain until the first hard frost of the year.

"If you're outside in the evening, you don't see as many mosquitos now as you did in July and August, so your chances of getting West Nile at this point and time are very low," said Pat Petroski, nurse manager at the Boston Public Health Commission. "However, that doesn't mean that people should stop using precautions."

Health officials advise residents to use insect repellent and to drain standing water from their property.