Rare but Deadly Mosquito Virus Puts Massachusetts Towns on Alert

Officials in several Massachusetts towns are warning residents to remain indoors at night after a rare but deadly disease spread by mosquitoes has been detected, officials
said.

Plymouth officials began the protocol on Aug. 23 after Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was discovered in a horse in the area, NPR reported. State officials announced that a man in his 80s had caught the disease, according to The Associated Press. It was the first human case reported in Massachusetts since 2020.

According to a news release, sports teams and other organizations will not be allowed to gather in Plymouth’s parks after dusk.

State health officials said in a “situation update” that there will be mosquito spraying all week beginning on Aug. 26 in Plymouth and Worcester counties. Towns affected in Plymouth County include Carver and parts of Halifax, Kingston, Middleborough, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester and Wareham.

Truck-based spraying will be conducted in the southern Worcester County towns of Douglas, Dudley, Oxford, Sutton and Uxbridge.

State and local health officials urged people in those towns to avoid the peak mosquito biting times by finishing their outdoor activities by 6 p.m. until Sept. 30, the AP reported. Beginning in October, officials suggest going indoors by 5 p.m. until the first hard frost.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the infected mosquitoes are typically found in eastern states or areas along the Gulf coast. The disease, transmitted through infected mosquitoes, is rare but has a fatality rate of 30%.

There is no treatment or vaccine available for EEE, the CDC said.

According to the agency, symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness.

The Massachusetts Department of Health said that most deaths from EEE occur within two to 10 days after symptoms begin.

Survivors may have chronic neurological issues. Some symptoms include “fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness.”

Michelle Bratti, Plymouth’s commissioner of Health and Human Services, said in a news release on Aug. 23 that the health and safety of the community remains a priority.

“As Mass DPH has now elevated Plymouth’s EEE risk status to high, it is important to take extra precautions when outdoors and follow state and local health guidelines to avoid unnecessary risk to exposure to EEE,” Bratti said.

In a memo issued on Aug. 21. Jennifer Callahan, Oxford’s town manager, said she has been in contact with the family of the person who caught the virus this year. He is still hospitalized.

“They want people to be aware this is an extremely serious disease with terrible physical and emotional consequences, regardless if the person manages to live after contracting the virus,” Callahan said. “They want residents to take the public health recommendations regarding prevention measures seriously.”

There were 12 human cases of the virus in Massachusetts in 2019 and six people died, according to the state health agency. The following year, there were five human cases with one death.

“This is the first time we have seen a person infected with EEE in Massachusetts since 2020,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. “EEE is a rare but serious disease and a public health concern. We want to remind residents of the need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in areas of the state where we are seeing EEE activity.”