State Health Officials Announce Fourth Human Case of EEE
EEE risk levels remain elevated in multiple communities
BOSTON (September 9, 2024) – The Massachusetts
Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced a fourth human case of
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in the state this year. The case is a man in
his 50s with exposure in an area in Middlesex County at high risk for EEE.
“This year’s
EEE season has been particularly active and is generating a lot of concern in
communities across Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner
Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “While EEE remains a rare disease, the risk
level is elevated in multiple communities. With the weather forecast showing
warm, sunny weather for the rest of the week, we recommend that people take
necessary precautions in areas of elevated risk. This includes recommending
that residents and towns in areas at high risk for EEE reschedule their evening
outdoor events to avoid peak mosquito biting hours from dusk to dawn.”
There have been 91 EEE-positive mosquito samples in
Massachusetts this year. While most activity has been focused in Plymouth and
Worcester counties, infected mosquitoes have also been found in Bristol, Essex,
and Middlesex counties. There are no additional risk level changes associated
with today’s announcement.
EEE is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected
mosquito. The last outbreak of EEE in Massachusetts occurred in 2019-2020 and
resulted in 17 human cases with seven deaths. In addition to this year’s four
human cases, EEE has also been identified in two horses in Massachusetts.
People have an important role to play in protecting
themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a
repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET
(N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon
eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) 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 percent or less on
older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under
three years of age.
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 in areas of high
risk.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing
long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes
away from your skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs
in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes
to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters
and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in
birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes
outside by having tightly fitting screens on all 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 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
veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and
vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus (WNV) and EEE. If an animal is
suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department
of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795,
and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.
More information, including all WNV and EEE positive
results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page
at Mosquito-borne
Diseases | Mass.gov, which is updated daily, or by
calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.
