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Mosquito Transmitted Disease Risk Downgraded Across Mass.

By Tom Marino | October 3, 2024
Last Updated: October 3, 2024

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Wednesday that it downgraded all areas previously determined to be at critical or high risk for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). The highest level of risk assessed in any community across the state is not moderate.

Massachusetts has five possible risk rankings for EEE: remote, low, moderate, high, and critical.

In Worcester County, the change affected the risk status in Douglas, Dudley, Harvard, Northbridge, Oxford, Sutton, Uxbridge, and Webster. All these towns are now considered moderate.

The other Worcester County municipalities rated as moderate, are:

  • Auburn
  • Berlin
  • Bolton
  • Charlton
  • Clinton
  • Grafton
  • Hopedale
  • Lancaster
  • Leicester
  • Mendon
  • Milford
  • Millbury
  • Millville
  • Southbridge
  • Upton

Six municipalities have the lowest risk rating, remote. They are Ashburnham, Athol, Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Royalston, and Winchendon,

All other municipalities in Worcester County not mentioned above are assessed at the second lowest level, low, including Worcester.

West Nile Virus Risk Levels

The other most prominent mosquito born disease, West Nile Virus (WNV), have municipalities ranked as moderate. They are Worcester, Auburn, Grafton, Millbury, and Shrewsbury. All other municipalities in Worcester County are rated at the lowest risk level, low.

Massachusetts has five possible risk rankings for West Nile Virus (WNV): low, moderate, high, and critical.

Human Cases in Massachusetts

The most recent announcement of a human case of WNV was Sept. 27, when DPH announced the 13th case in Massachusetts this year. A man in his 40s from Essex County was the most recent case discovered.

Last year there were six human cases of WNV discovered.

The most recent announcement of a human case of EEE was Sept. 9, when DPH announced the fourth case in Massachusetts this year. In that case, a man in his 50s was exposed in Middlesex County.

Precautions to Take and Additional Information

Despite the reduction of the risk level in some municipalities, DPH continues to urge resident vigilance against mosquito bites.

To avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they can transmit, residents are encouraged to practice the 5 Ds:

  • DRESS in long sleeves and pants when possible. Cover up during periods of mosquito activity.
  • DEET is an effective insect repellent. Always follow the label instructions.
  • DAWN & DUSK are mosquitoes’ most active periods.
  • DRAIN water from containers weekly. Avoid standing water, such as rain collecting in open bins, buckets, or toys.

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