EEE Found In Mosquito Sample On Outer Cape

TRURO, MA — Eastern equine encephalitis has been found in a mosquito sampling collected on the Outer Cape. The rare and potentially deadly virus, known as EEE, was detected in a sampling taken in the Head of the Meadow area in Truro, according to the Cape Cod Times.

The sample was taken Aug. 22 and contained a mosquito species that bites humans and animals.

Cases occur sporadically in Massachusetts, with the most recent outbreaks happening from 2004 to 2006 and 2010 to 2012, according to the Department of Public Health. So far this year, four Massachusetts residents have contracted the virus, including a fatal case in Fairhaven.

Symptoms include fever, headache, irritability, restlessness, drowsiness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, convulsions and coma, the CDC said. Approximately a third of all people with EEE die from the virus, and many who recover experience lingering neurological issues, according to the agency.

Several pools in Falmouth tested positive for EEE earlier this summer, prompting the town to spray pesticides to combat its mosquito population. Falmouth, Bourne and Truro are at moderate risk for EEE.