EEEV-Infected Mosquito Concern Brings Changes to Enfield Events

ENFIELD, CT — Concerns about the potentially harmful effects of mosquitoes testing positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in nearby South Windsor has prompted Enfield school officials to implement precautionary measures, such as changes to the timing of outdoor events, effective immediately.

As of Tuesday, all outside school activities, including athletic practices, will end by dusk. Since mosquitoes are most active at night, health officials advise minimizing time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn.

Eastern Equine encephalitis virus is spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. EEEV is rare in the United States, with an average of seven cases reported each year. The virus is found in mosquitoes in Connecticut

There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat EEEV infection. Approximately one third of people who become sick from EEEV will die from the illness.

Two people in Connecticut have died from EEEV complications in the past two weeks. One was from Old Lyme, and the other from East Lyme.

Enfield Superintendent of Schools Chris Drezek posted a letter to the school community on the Enfield Public Schools web site, stating:

"As you may have heard, a mosquito testing positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) was identified in the Town of South Windsor. Although we have no information of any similar instances here in Enfield, we have decided to take some precautionary actions regarding outdoor activities in Enfield, per the recommendation of our Director of Health. Effective immediately, all outside activities, including athletic practices, will end by dusk. There may be a need to reschedule athletic contests for the weekend or to implement earlier start times, but our Athletic Department will communicate these changes through our coaches, if necessary. We will continue to monitor the weather conditions relative to mosquitos, but these precautions will remain in place until further notice. As always, parents have the right to not allow their child to participate in a school outdoor activity. In the event your child is scheduled to participate in an outdoor activity in a district that is not instituting these precautions, it is also your right to not have your child participate.

I’ve attached a letter from the North Central District Health Department, as well as an Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) Fact Sheet (EEE - Fact Sheet.pdf ) for your information."

This story contains reporting by Patch editor Chris Dehnel.