State officials are warning residents of a Massachusetts town to take precautions due to an increased risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus, which is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health officials said: In a press release The state announced Saturday that 10 communities across the state have been elevated to high or severe risk for the EEE virus, which has resulted in aerial spraying to control mosquitoes in some areas of Plymouth County and truck-mounted mosquito spraying in parts of Worcester County.
“Massachusetts has not seen an outbreak of EEE in four years,” Surgeon General Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. “The outbreaks and activity this year have created increased risk in some areas of our state. We must use all tools available to us to reduce risk and protect our communities. I ask everyone to do their part.”
Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, such as wearing trousers and long-sleeved clothing when outdoors, avoiding times when mosquitoes are most prevalent, and using insect repellent when outdoors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Most people infected with the EEE virus don’t show symptoms, and for those who do, the incubation period is four to 10 days, according to officials.
The CDC said the infection can range from a feverish illness to neurological illness. If the infection leads to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), the disease can be fatal, according to the CDC. About one-third of people with encephalitis eventually die, and survivors often require long-term treatment, according to the CDC.
Officials in the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, have closed all public parks from dusk to dawn due to the increased risk of virus transmission. Go to press release on friday.
The state,First human case According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, an outbreak of EEE occurred in Worcester County on Aug. 16.
