Health & Fitness

Another Mosquito Sample Tests Positive For EEE Near Falmouth

There is a heightened risk of EEE until the first hard frost, health officials said.

BOURNE, MA — A mosquito sample collected in Bourne this week tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, according to the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project. It is the second time this summer a sample taken in Bourne tested positive for the potentially deadly virus.

The sample was collected Sept. 10 at Barlow's Landing. The organization said it does not know how many mosquitoes in the batch were positive. A crew was sent to Bourne Friday to treat for mosquitoes in standing water.

So far this year, there have been seven human cases of EEE in Massachusetts, including one death. Approximately a third of all people with EEE die from the virus, and many who recover experience lingering neurological issues, according to the CDC.

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There is a heightened risk of EEE until the first hard frost, according to the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project. Bourne, Falmouth and Truro are considered to be at moderate risk for the virus.

Several mosquito pools in Falmouth tested positive for EEE earlier this summer, prompting the town to spray pesticides to combat its mosquito population.

Find out what's happening in Falmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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