New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that the risk level for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus in the communities of Carver and Middleborough in southeastern Massachusetts has been increased from moderate to high.
This risk level increase follows additional EEE positive mosquito samples. EEE virus has been found in 16 mosquito samples this year. No human or animal cases of EEE have been detected so far this year.
“The mosquito surveillance results indicate that the virus activity has increased in one area in southeastern Massachusetts,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “We want people to be aware that the EEE virus is present in mosquitoes in the area and are encouraging residents to take steps to avoid mosquito bites.”
DPH is working with the local communities, local Mosquito Control Projects, and other mosquito control experts to coordinate surveillance and discuss appropriate public health response activities.
The EEE virus also has been confirmed this year in tested mosquito samples in Franklin County, which increased the risk level of EEE to moderate in the communities of Orange, Athol, Wendell and New Salem. The town of Plympton in Plymouth County is also at moderate risk for EEE.
There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019.
“We always take EEE very seriously,” said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “It is important for residents to know that in communities at high risk for EEE, we encourage use of mosquito repellent and scheduling outdoor events to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes most likely to spread EEE are most active.”
People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.
