Archive 2008 - 2019

State Public Health Officials Announce 5 th Confirmed Human Case of EEE

by Press Release
9/6/2019

"In light of the EEE human case in Ashland and the proximity to Holliston, I would like to schedule a crew in town Monday night, September 9th, please see map below." Timothy D. Deschamps, Executive Director; Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project

 

BOSTON (September 5, 2019) - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that laboratory testing has confirmed another new case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection, a man in his 70s from southwestern Middlesex County, bringing the total number of human cases of EEE to five this year in Massachusetts. As a result, the risk level in Ashland, Hopedale and Milford has been raised to critical and the risk level in Bellingham, Blackstone and Millville has been raised to high.

In total, there are 32 communities now at critical risk, 39 at high risk, and 121 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts. A map of the state’s current EEE risk levels can be found here.

There have also been nine confirmed cases of EEE this year in animals; eight horses and one goat. ``Even as the weather begins to cool, it remains critically important that people take steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH.

All residents throughout the Commonwealth should continue to use mosquito repellent and those in high and critical risk communities should consider staying indoors during the dusk to dawn hours to reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Residents can learn more about EEE and about ways to protect themselves on DPH’s http://website.

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE occurs sporadically in Massachusetts with the most recent outbreak years occurring from 2004-2006 and 2010- 2012. There were 22 human cases of EEE infection during those two outbreak periods with 14 cases occurring among residents of Bristol and Plymouth counties.
EEE virus has been found in 392 mosquito samples this year, many of them from species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people.

Local communities are continuing truck-mounted spraying for mosquitoes. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources completed aerial mosquito spraying in parts of Bristol, Plymouth, Middlesex, and Worcester counties last month to help reduce public health risk. Aerial spraying has concluded for the season primarily due to evening temperatures being too low to permit effective aerial application. Spraying for mosquitoes does not eliminate the risk of EEE transmission and the public is
asked to continue to follow personal protection practices.