5th Person Contracts EEE In Massachusetts

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MA — A fifth case of Eastern equine encephalitis in Massachusetts this summer was reported Thursday in southwestern Middlesex County. A man in his 70s is the latest human case of EEE virus. The Department of Public Health did not specify what municipality reported the case, but several communities in southwestern Middlesex County have been raised to a critical or high risk level as a result.

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. This recent case brings Ashland, Hopedale and Milford to a critical risk level and Bellingham, Blackstone and Millville to a high risk level.

A man in Grafton tested positive for EEE in August and another man in Plymouth County was confirmed with the disease as well. Another person in Franklin County was confirmed with EEE. A Bristol County woman died after contracting the virus last month.

There have also been nine confirmed cases of EEE this year in animals; eight horses and one goat.

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. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is performing aerial spraying for mosquitoes in communities considered high risk for EEE.

The first symptoms of EEE are fever, usually 103º to 106ºF, stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, these symptoms show up three to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous and frequent serious complication. The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week.

Here are some helpful tips to stay safe this summer:

Avoid Mosquito Bites
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
• Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it's hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m- toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8- diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
• Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
Protect Your Animals Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarians about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent EEE and WNV.