A rare but serious — and deadly — mosquito-borne disease has prompted officials to close public parks and implement targeted bug spraying in several communities in Massachusetts.
The disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, is a virus that is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also known as EEE, it can affect people of all ages, causing severe illness and even death.
According to the CDC, about 30% of those infected die, and many survivors have ongoing neurological problems.
As of Sunday, 13 communities in Massachusetts were listed as at risk. In an effort to reduce the general risk of infection, state officials will this week — by plane and truck — spray insecticides that control mosquitoes in at-risk areas.
“We haven’t seen an outbreak of EEE in four years in Massachusetts,” said Robbie Goldstein, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. He said On Saturday. “This year’s outbreak and activity raises the risk to communities in some parts of the state. We must use all the tools at our disposal to reduce the risk and protect our communities.
Aerial spraying is used in areas with “high risk of human diseases,” state officials said He said. That type of spraying will take place this week in cities across Plymouth County — and truck spraying will take place in parts of southern Worcester County.
This comes as state officials announced last week A man in his 80s He contracted the disease, marking the first human case discovered in Massachusetts 2020.
In 2020, five human cases and one death were reported in Massachusetts. Officials said. Massachusetts has had 12 human cases of eastern equine encephalitis and six deaths in 2019.
“People under the age of 15 and over the age of 50 are at particular risk,” says the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. He said. “EEE does not occur every year, but based on current evidence, there is a high risk of human cases occurring in 2024.”
Targeted spraying is scheduled to begin Tuesday evening, Massachusetts officials said He said. Spraying can take several nights, each day starting at dusk and ending at dawn.
Spraying is considered necessary to reduce human risk. Officials said It does not eliminate the risk of infection.
“It is important for residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by staying indoors during peak mosquito season, using insect repellents outdoors, draining standing water where mosquitoes breed, and fixing screens,” officials said.
According to Associated PressThe city of Plymouth, about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Boston, announced Friday that it would close its public outdoor recreation facilities from dusk to dawn every day after a horse in the town contracted the disease.
Massachusetts officials are urging residents to avoid outdoor activities after sunset.
There are no vaccines to prevent or treat Eastern equine encephalitis Experts say The best way to prevent your infection is to prevent the bite. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions.
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