Massachusetts public health officials on Wednesday raised the threat level for eastern equine encephalitis from the mosquito-borne virus in two communities in Plymouth County.
EEE risk increased from moderate to high in the cities of Carver and Middleborough, in southeastern Massachusetts, according to the state Department of Public Health.
The increased threat level follows more mosquito samples that tested positive for the disease. So far this year, the virus has been found in 16 specimens, according to DPH. However, no human or animal cases of EEE have been detected.
“The results of mosquito surveillance indicate that the activity of the virus has increased in an area in southeastern Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel. “We want people to know that the EEE virus is present in mosquitoes in the area, and we are encouraging residents to take steps to prevent mosquito bites.”
Multiple positive EEE mosquito samples have already been confirmed this year in the cities of Athol, New Salem, Orange, and Wendell in Franklin County. The risk level for the virus was raised to moderate in the four communities of the Pioneer Valley and in Plympton, another city in Plymouth County.
DPH is working with municipal officials and local mosquito control projects to organize surveillance efforts and appropriate public health responses.
Speaking at the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project earlier this month, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said the virus poses a “very real” threat to the state, and Massachusetts could see a large number of EEE cases by end of season.
Although the mosquito-borne virus is rare, it can have serious side effects and impact people of all age groups. Last year, six of the state’s 12 EEE patients died.
“We always take the EEA very seriously,” said state epidemiologist DPH Dr. Catherine Brown. “It is important for residents to know that in EEA high risk communities, we encourage the use of mosquito repellent and the scheduling of outdoor events to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most likely to spread the EEA. “
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has outlined recommendations to avoid getting EEE:
- Avoid mosquito bites by applying insect repellent when you go outdoors.
- Note the mosquito peak hours, which are from dusk to dawn.
- Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when you go outside to prevent mosquitoes from falling on open skin.
- Drain standing water, as mosquitoes lay their eggs in such environments, and limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to reproduce by either draining or disposing of water-containing items.
- Check the gutters and drains. Empty unused flower pots and kiddie pools, and change the water in bird baths frequently.
- Install or repair screens on all windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
- Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and kiddie pools, especially after heavy rains.
More information on EEE in Massachusetts and the West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne disease, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information website.
WNV has been detected in mosquito samples in Massachusetts this summer, including Boston. Like EEE, West Nile virus is a rare but serious disease that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
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