The rare and life-threatening eastern equine encephalitis of the mosquito-borne virus was first detected in Massachusetts in 2020, state health officials said Friday, noting it was “earlier in the year.”
EEE was detected in a mosquito collected in Orange, in Franklin County, Wednesday during an analysis at the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory, according to the Department of Public Health.
No person or animal has tested positive for EEE, the department said. But the EEE risk level rose to moderate Orange and close Athol.
“We have been preparing for EEE activity this year,” Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said in a statement. “It is early in the year for the first evidence of EEE, therefore continued monitoring of mosquitoes over the next few weeks will help us understand more about how fast the virus could emerge this year.”
Six people with EEE died in 2019. The virus, while rare, can affect people of any age if bitten by an infected mosquito, the department said.
The EEA revival comes amid a pandemic caused by another virus, and the coronavirus has changed the way people behave this year, said state epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown.
“People have spent time indoors due to COVID-19 and now, as we venture out, we want to remind people of the need to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito-borne illness,” he said. it’s a statement. “We are also asking people to stay aware of the level of virus activity in the areas where they live, work and play. People can visit our new website for the most up-to-date information.”
Learn more about EEE from Massachusetts public health officials here.
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