Woman in Berkshire County has West Nile Virus

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - State health officials have confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus in western Massachusetts.

Anne Roach from the Department of Public Health told 22News that a woman from Berkshire County in her 70's has tested positive for the mosquito-borne illness. She is currently in the hospital, but is expected to be released soon.

In response, state health officials have raised the risk level for West Nile Virus to "high" for the City of Pittsfield and "Moderate" for the neighboring towns of Dalton, Hancock, Lanesborough, Lenox, Richmond, and Washington.

Though this is the first case in western Massachusetts, this is the third confirmed case of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts.

We have set up a special page on our website WWLP.com where you can find out what you need to know about West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.