Massachusetts towns close parks and urge residents to avoid outdoor activities at night due to the threat of the deadly mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus. Learn more about the precautions and risks.
Bollywood Fever: A rare but deadly mosquito-borne disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), has led to the closure of parks and public fields in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and has prompted nearby towns to issue urgent warnings to residents.
The move comes after the first human case of EEE in Massachusetts since 2020 was confirmed, with a man in his 80s contracting the virus last week.
Plymouth, located about 40 miles southeast of Boston, announced the closure of its outdoor recreational facilities from dusk until dawn after a horse in the town was also found to be infected.
State health officials have placed four other towns—Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster—at “critical risk” following the diagnosis of another man from Oxford with the virus.
The affected towns are advising residents to avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito biting times by finishing all outdoor events by 6 p.m. until September 30, and then by 5 p.m. until the first hard frost of the season.
Across Massachusetts, officials recommend the use of mosquito repellents and the removal of standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding.
Oxford’s town manager, Jennifer Callahan, emphasized the severity of the disease in a memo, sharing that the family of the infected man, who remains hospitalized, wants the public to understand the grave risks posed by EEE.
The family urged others to take the public health warnings seriously and protect themselves from mosquito bites.
EEE, while rare, is highly dangerous, with about 30% of those infected dying from the disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Survivors often suffer from permanent disabilities, and few fully recover.
The virus was first detected in a mosquito sample in Massachusetts last month, and has since been found in various mosquito populations across the state. During a 2019 outbreak, Massachusetts saw six deaths among 12 confirmed cases of EEE, with additional cases and deaths occurring in 2020.
There are currently no vaccines or specific treatments available for EEE. The CDC notes that while only a few cases of EEE are reported annually in the U.S., most infections are found in eastern and Gulf Coast states, making the situation in Massachusetts particularly concerning.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant, adhere to the recommended precautions, and stay informed as local health officials continue to monitor the situation.
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