Three more towns in Massachusetts are now at high risk for Eastern equine encephalitis, health officials said Friday.
Brimfield, Sturbridge and Holland were added to the high-risk list after an additional mosquito sample collected on Wednesday in Brimfield tested positive for the disease. The risk level was also raised to moderate in Wales.
Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised Douglas, Dudley, Oxford, Southbridge, Sutton and Webster to high risk for EEE, and Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Millbury, Northbridge and Uxbridge to moderate risk.
“The forecast is for cooler temperatures which will start to reduce mosquito activity,” State Epidemiologist Catherine Brown said in a statement. “However, the risk for spread of EEE virus from mosquitoes to people is still present. Everyone in these moderate- and high-risk areas should take the recommended steps to prevent mosquito bites; this includes avoiding outdoor activity between dusk and dawn in the high-risk communities.”
EEE is rare, but can be fatal and can infect people of all ages. It is usually spread to humans through a bite from an infected mosquito.
In 2019, there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts with six deaths, and in 2020, there were five human cases and one death. There has not been a human case of EEE in Massachusetts since 2020.
To avoid mosquito bites, residents are encouraged to apply insect repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient like DEET, permethrin, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors. In addition, avoid going outdoors at peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn and wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outside to keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
To keep mosquitoes away from your home, install or repair screens on windows and doors and drain or discard items that hold water where the insects can lay their eggs, such as rain gutters, drains, unused flower pots, wading pools, birdbaths and water troughs for livestock.
Horses should be kept in indoor stalls at night and owners should speak with a veterinarian about appropriate insect repellents for animals. If an animal is suspected of having EEE or West Nile virus, owners are required to report the case to the Department of Agricultural Resources’ Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800.
More information on preventing EEE transmission and data on positive EEE and WBV results can be found on the state website here.
