BOSTON (WWLP) - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is reporting that two women have been diagnosed with West Nile Virus (WNV) in Massachusetts. Human case of new tick-borne illness found in Connecticut According to DPH, one woman in her 60s was most likely exposed in Middlesex County and the other is in her 70s with likely out-of-state exposure. As a result, the number of human cases so far this year is 15. There have been 333 WNV-positive mosquito samples found in Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. Last year, there were six human cases of WNV and no animal cases. No animal cases of WNV have been confirmed this year. The risk for WNV decreases throughout the Fall until the first hard frost. Health officials remind residents and visitors to the state to protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and pants while outside, using insect repellent, and reducing time outside, especially between dusk and dawn. Information about West Nile Virus can be found on the Mass.gov website. Local News Headlines Michael Cook Sr. found guilty of second-degree murder in wife’s 2019 death Lawmakers celebrate Korea Day at the State House City of Springfield to put up “Say No to Panhandling” signs Springfield Thunderbirds and St. Louis Blues announce 7-year affiliation extension WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.