The Massachusetts Department of Public Health [DPH] announced the second human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection in the state on Saturday, August 15.
The individual infected is a female in her 60’s. She was exposed to the virus in Hampden County.
DPH has rated communities in Hampden County and Plymouth County as high risk for EEE.
EEE is a rare but potentially deadly disease, spread by mosquitoes, that can affect people of all ages. In 2019, there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts. Six of those people died.
EEE virus has been found in 65 mosquito samples this year, over 70 percent of them in species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people.
The DPH advised the following measures to protect yourself and your loved ones from EEE:
- Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors
- Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 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% 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.
- 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 either draining or discarding items that hold water.
- Install or Repair Screens
- Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
