Headline: Eastern Equine Encephalitis Risk Raised in Massachusetts Communities
State public health officials have recently raised the risk level for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in several Massachusetts communities, creating concerns among local residents. The risk has been raised to high in six communities, including Douglas, Dudley, Oxford, Southbridge, Sutton, and Webster. Additionally, five more communities, namely Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Millbury, and Northbridge, have been categorized as having a moderate risk.
The increase in risk comes after additional mosquito samples collected in Sutton and Southbridge tested positive for EEE. Moreover, EEE has been detected in mosquitoes and a donkey in Rhode Island, as well as in mosquitoes near the Connecticut-Massachusetts border.
Despite these findings, there have been no reported cases of EEE in humans or animals in Massachusetts since the beginning of the year. However, public health officials are stressing the importance of taking preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites and minimize the risk of EEE transmission.
EEE is a rare but potentially fatal disease that can be transmitted through mosquito bites. In 2019, there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts, resulting in six deaths. Last year, in 2020, there were five human cases and one death.
Mosquitoes that carry EEE are most active between dusk and dawn, but they can also bite during the day in shaded or cloudy areas. To protect themselves from mosquito bites, residents are advised to use insect repellents, wear protective clothing, drain standing water, and install or repair screens.
It is not only humans who are at risk, but animals as well. Therefore, animal owners are urged to take precautions to reduce mosquito breeding sites and protect their pets or livestock from EEE.
For further information and guidance on EEE, interested individuals may visit the Arbovirus Surveillance Information website or contact the state health department’s hotline.
As the risk of EEE continues to escalate in these specific Massachusetts communities, it is crucial for residents to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to safeguard themselves and their animals from potential mosquito-borne illnesses.
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