BOSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) Health officials have confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in Massachusetts this year.
The patient is a man in his 60's from Middlesex County. He was diagnosed in late July and remains hospitalized, but is reportedly recovering.
As a result of the diagnosis, the threat level for West Nile Virus has been raised to "moderate" for Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville, and Watertown.
Officials also confirmed the first case of the virus in a horse in the town of Ludlow on Wednesday. The town's threat level has been raised to high as a result of the discovery.
West Nile has been found in mosquitoes in 48 communities located in nine different counties in 2012. The virus typically includes a fever and flu-like symptoms. People over the age of 50 are at risk for more serious symptoms.
For more information on the West Nile virus:
