August 16, 2024
State Health Officials Announce Season’s First Human Case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts
EEE risk levels elevated in multiple communities
On Friday, August 16, 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced the first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in Massachusetts this year. The person is a male in his 80s who was exposed in Worcester County. As a result, the risk levels in several communities in Worcester County have been raised to critical, high and moderate. The EEE risk level in Middlesex County remains remote. Learn more here.
The public is urged to protect against mosquito bites to avoid infection from EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses. State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown noted: “In addition to recommending that people use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient and clothing to reduce exposed skin, we also recommend that evening outdoor events be rescheduled to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn. The mosquitoes most likely to spread EEE are most active during the dusk to dawn hours.”