State well being officers are reporting the primary human case of West Nile virus and the primary EEE animal case this 12 months, as DPH urges residents to “take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”
The individual contaminated with West Nile virus is a person in his 40s, who was uncovered in Hampden County, in accordance with the Massachusetts Division of Public Health. The EEE (Japanese equine encephalitis) an infection was identified in a horse uncovered in Plymouth.
Mosquito samples collected in Dedham additionally examined optimistic for EEE. These findings increase the EEE danger stage to excessive in Plymouth and to low in Dedham.
That is along with the 2 communities at present at excessive danger for EEE: Carver and Middleboro. There are 12 communities already at average danger for EEE: Amesbury, Groveland, Halifax, Haverhill, Kingston, Merrimac, Newburyport, Plymouth, Plympton, Salisbury, Wareham, and West Newbury.
The danger of West Nile virus human an infection is average within the Larger Boston space (Middlesex, Norfolk, and Suffolk counties), and in elements of Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Plymouth, and Worcester counties.
“Historically, August and September are the months when most people are exposed to West Nile virus in Massachusetts,” stated Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein. “This is also the first year with elevated EEE activity since our last outbreak in 2019 and 2020.
“Populations of mosquitoes that can carry and spread these viruses are large this year and we continue to see increases in the number of EEE- and WNV-positive mosquito samples throughout the state,” Goldstein added. “Residents should continue to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.”
West Nile virus is often transmitted to people by means of the chew of an contaminated mosquito. There have been six human instances and no animal instances final 12 months. No animal instances of West Nile virus have been detected up to now this 12 months.
EEE is a uncommon however severe and doubtlessly deadly illness that may have an effect on folks of all ages. EEE is usually unfold to people by means of the chew of an contaminated mosquito.
There have been 12 human instances of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths, and 5 human instances with one demise in 2020. There have been no human instances of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or final 12 months. No human instances of EEE have been detected up to now this 12 months.
“We continue to recommend taking steps to prevent mosquito bites until the first hard frost,” stated State Epidemiologist Catherine M. Brown. “People should use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient, clothing to reduce exposed skin, and consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning.”
