Mass. officials say West Nile seen earlier

BOSTON, July 23 (UPI) -- Increased numbers of mosquitoes in Massachusetts could mean a greater chance of West Nile virus cases this summer, state health officials said.

Mary J.R. Gilchrist, director of the state's Bureau of Laboratory Sciences, said evidence of the virus has emerged early during this biting season, the Boston Globe reported.

"We're seeing about double (the mosquitoes) we saw last year," Gilchrist said.

The West Nile virus usually spreads to humans through a mosquito's bite. Illness ranges from a mild fever to more serious diseases such as encephalitis or meningitis.

The virus was first found this year in a pool of mosquitoes in Worcester July 2, about a month earlier than last year. Since then West Nile virus has been discovered in four other test sites,

"It means more opportunity for the virus to build up," said state epidemiologist Alfred DeMaria. "The early season amplifies the virus."

No human West Nile cases have been reported in Massachusetts so far this year, the Globe reported. Between 2000 and 2007, 59 people were reported to as infected and six died.