Plymouth County Man Diagnosed With EEE

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health today announced the fourth human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in a Massachusetts resident. The patient, a Plymouth County resident in his 60s, is currently hospitalized.

Based on this finding, the EEE threat level has been raised to "High" in Duxbury, Marshfield, Norwell, and Plymouth. Communities which have been designated at "High" risk of EEE are urged to cancel all planned evening outdoor events for the remainder of the season until the first hard frost. Mosquito control projects will be increasing ground spraying activities in these communities.

Health officials have also confirmed the 14th case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in a Massachusetts resident this year. The patient, a Hampden County resident in his 50s was hospitalized but has since been discharged. Based on this finding, the WNV threat level has been raised to "High" in Agawam, Easthampton, Hadley, Northampton, Southampton, and Westfield. Unlike with EEE, the designation of "High" WNV risk does not trigger a recommendation that communities cancel planned outdoor evening events.

"Today’s announcement is yet another serious reminder that the threat of mosquito-borne illness is still with us, and will remain so until we see the first hard overnight frost," said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria. "People need to continue to use insect repellant, cover up exposed skin, and avoid being outdoors at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active." DPH has also completed its epidemiological investigation of a previously announced human case of WNV in a Middlesex resident and as a result has raised the WNV threat level to "High" in Lowell and Tewksbury. Unlike with EEE, the designation of "High" WNV risk does not trigger a recommendation that communities cancel planned outdoor evening events.

There have now been four confirmed human cases of EEE in Massachusetts residents so far this year, including one case that resulted in the death of a Worcester man in his 70s. There were two cases of EEE in August of last year acquired in Massachusetts; a fatal case in a Bristol County man and an infection in a tourist from out of state. EEE activity in both 2010 and 2011 raised public concern and prompted DPH to work with a panel of experts to evaluate and enhance the state’s surveillance and response program. EEE is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Initial symptoms of EEE are fever (often 103º to 106ºF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy, and in severe cases can progress to confusion, disorientation, and coma. EEE is a serious disease in all ages and can even cause death.

Release from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health