Two Mass. women diagnosed with West Nile virus

(MyFoxBoston.com) -- Mass. health officials announced two more cases of West Nile virus Friday.

The first case involved a woman in her 50s from Middlesex County. She was never hospitalized due to the illness.

The second case involved an Essex County woman in her 70s. She was hospitalized, but has shown what health officials call significant improvement.

Both women are believed to have contracted the illness locally.

A total of six Mass. residents have been diagnosed with West Nile virus in 2013. In 2012, 33 people were diagnosed with the illness.

Cox Media Group