One other EEE case has been reported within the Bay State, elevating the chance ranges in a number of communities as well being officers remind individuals to maintain utilizing bug spray and reschedule out of doors night occasions.
The Massachusetts Division of Public Health on Thursday introduced an extra human case of Jap Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and another human case of West Nile virus (WNV).
The area is going through a significant outbreak of mosquito-borne ailments this season. Lately, a person in New Hampshire died from EEE.
Each of the brand new Bay State instances are males of their 70s. One man was uncovered to EEE in central Middlesex County, bringing the entire variety of EEE instances in Massachusetts this yr to 3.
The opposite man was uncovered to WNV in southern Middlesex County in an space already at excessive threat for the illness. That is the seventh case of WNV in Massachusetts this yr.
“As we speak’s announcement of extra West Nile virus and Jap equine encephalitis instances makes it clear that mosquito season isn’t over,” stated Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein. “It’s important that residents proceed to make use of mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered lively ingredient each time they’re outdoor.
“We also strongly recommend that residents and towns in areas at high risk for EEE reschedule their evening outdoor events to avoid peak mosquito biting hours,” Goldstein added.
EEE threat ranges are being raised to excessive in Acton, Ayer, Boxborough, Carlisle, and Littleton in Middlesex County; and Harvard in Worcester County.
The next communities are being raised to reasonable: Bedford, Billerica, Chelmsford, Harmony, Framingham, Groton, Lincoln, Shirley, Stow, Tyngsborough, Wayland, and Westford in Middlesex County; and Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, and Lancaster in Worcester County.
WNV threat ranges within the following communities are being raised to excessive: Stoneham and Wakefield in Middlesex County.
EEE and WNV are transmitted to people by means of the chew of an contaminated mosquito. The final outbreak of EEE occurred in 2019-2020 and resulted in 17 human instances with seven deaths.
There have been six human instances of WNV and no animal instances in 2023. No animal instances of WNV have been detected up to now this yr.
“Mosquito behavior starts to change in September,” stated State Epidemiologist Catherine Brown. “They will be less active during cooler temperatures. However, during periods of warmer weather, such as are being forecast for the end of next week, mosquitoes will be out and looking for their next meal.”
