EEE Virus Confirmed In Westborough Mosquitoes

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Westborough has joined the list of communities in Massachusetts affected by Eastern Equine Encephalitis, EEE. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday that EEE virus was detected in mosquitoes collected from Westborough.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Since the virus was first identified in Massachusetts in 1938, fewer than 100 cases have occurred.

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.

Outbreaks of EEE usually occur in Massachusetts every 10-20 years. These outbreaks will typically last two to three years. There is no treatment for EEE. In Massachusetts, about half of the people identified with EEE died from the infection. People who survive this disease will often be permanently disabled. Few people recover completely.

No human or animal cases of EEE have been detected this year, but August is the month when people are at the most risk, DPH State Epidemiologist Catherine Brown said.

There were no EEE virus positive mosquito samples found in Westborough last year.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said 22 communities have been reported at a high risk of EEE since the end of July.

The town offered some tips on how to keep mosquitoes at bay and avoid bites:

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 longsleeves, 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.

Anyone who want to have their property sprayed should contact the Central MA Mosquito
Control project at 508-393-3055 or online at www.cmmcp.org.