First Human Case Of EEE In Mass. Discovered In Plymouth County

BOSTON, MA — State public health officials announced Saturday that the first human case of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus has been discovered in Plymouth County. The Mass. Dept. of Public Health stated that a man, older than 60-years of age, in the southern part of the county, has been infected with the virus. It's the first human case in the state in six years.

EEE is a rare brain infection spread by infected mosquitoes found mostly in the eastern part of the United States. There are normally a few cases reported each year.

Due to the danger of the virus, the DPH has raised the risk level to "critical" in nine communities: Carver, Lakeville, Marion, Middleborough, Rochester, and Wareham in Plymouth County, and Acushnet, Freetown, and New Bedford in Bristol County.

"Today’s news is evidence of the significant risk from EEE and we are asking residents to take this risk very seriously," said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. "We will continue to monitor this situation and the impacted communities."

State health and agricultural officials will be conducting and monitoring aerial spraying in both Bristol and Plymouth counties in an effort to reduce the mosquito population and the risk of EEE.

EEE has been found in 227 mosquito samples in 2019.

Residents are reminded to use mosquito repellent with DEET and to consider staying indoors during dusk and dawn hours, in an effort to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

For the most up-to-date information available on spraying locations, visit the Mass. Dept. of Agricultural Resources Aerial Spraying Map: massnrc.org/spray-map/

For other updates, Q&As, and downloadable fact sheets in multiple languages visit the DPH webpage: mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019

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