On Sunday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health [DPH] announced that laboratory testing has confirmed the fourth human case of EEE in the state this year.
The EEE virus was found in a female over the age of 50 who is a resident of southern Bristol County.
According to the DPH, they are working with several state agencies including MDAR, local boards of health, local Mosquito Control Projects, and other mosquito control experts on mosquito surveillance and appropriate public health response activities.
On Sunday evening, aerial spraying began over 23 cities and towns in Worcester County. Earlier this month, the second confirmed case of EEE virus in a human was found in a male between the ages of 19-30 in Grafton.
EEE virus is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease. It has been found in 333 mosquito samples this year, many of them from species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people.
The DPH is imploring all Massachusetts residents to use mosquito repellent and those in high and critical risk communities should consider staying indoors during the dusk to dawn hours to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
The DPH has raised the EEE risk level to moderate for Worcester and the following communities: Auburn, Avon, Bedford, Bellingham, Blackstone, Charlemont, Douglas, Hudson, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Millville, Natick, Oxford, Rowe, Shelburne, Sherborn, Sudbury, Wayland, and Webster.
The following communities have been raised to high risk: Ashland, Holliston, Hopedale, and Milford.
The following communities have been raised to critical risk: Colrain, Heath, Mendon, and Uxbridge.
The following are tips from the City of Worcester on how to avoid mosquito bites:
Practice the Five D’s of prevention:
- Avoid being outdoors during DAWN and DUSK, when mosquitoes are most active; DRESS in long-sleeved clothing; use insect repellent with DEET; and DRAIN any standing water from around your home.
Tips for avoiding mosquito bites:
- Be aware of peak mosquito hours – The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.
- Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
- Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] 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 percent or less on older children.
Mosquito-proof your home:
- Drain standing water – Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently. All property should be maintained to prohibit the formation of stagnant pools of water, which may attract and harbor mosquitoes and other insects. Properties with these conditions can be reported to the Department of Inspectional Services via the City’s customer service center at 508-929-1300.
- Install or repair screens – Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
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