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Originally Published: August 31, 2024 at 3:36 p.m.

BOSTON – Heading into Labor Day weekend, multiple towns in Massachusetts are facing critical or high risk levels of the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE. A map published by the state’s Department of Public Health shows the EEE threat for every community in the state.

EEE cases in Massachusetts 

Massachusetts on Thursday reported its second human case of EEE in a woman in her 30s. She contracted the virus in Plymouth County, before the area was aerial sprayed for mosquitos. A EEE case in a horse was also confirmed there.

Many towns around Plymouth have a EEE risk level of moderate or high, according to the map. And some towns in southern Worcester County are at a critically high risk of EEE because a man in his 80s was infected with EEE there. 

Earlier this week, 41-year-old Steven Perry from Hampstead, New Hampshire – not far from the Massachusetts border – died from EEE. His family said he had no underlying health conditions but developed severe central nervous system disease and died days later. 

EEE risk level in Massachusetts towns

As of Friday afternoon, these were the Massachusetts communities listed as having a moderate, high or critical EEE risk level.

Critical: Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, Webster

High: Carver, Dudley, Middleboro, Northbridge, Plymouth, Uxbridge

Moderate: Acushnet, Amesbury, Auburn, Berkley, Bridgewater, Charlton, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Grafton, Groveland, Halifax, Haverhill, Hopedale, Hudson, Kingston, Lakeville, Leicester, Mariion, Marlboro, Mattapoisett, Maynard, Mendon, Merrimac, Millbury, Milford, Millville, New Bedford, Newburyport, North Reading, Plympton, Raynham, Rochester, Salisbury, Southbridge, Sudbury, Taunton, Upton, West Newbury, Wareham, Westport 

What are the symptoms of EEE?

EEE is a rare disease, but about 30% of those who get infected die, according to the CDC. Most people don’t show symptoms, but those that do can have fever or brain swelling.

Symptoms can include headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness. 

To avoid mosquito bites, experts recommend using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, staying indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are active, and draining standing water. 

BOSTON – A second human case of the mosquito-borne Eastern equine encephalitis was confirmed in Massachusetts on Thursday, just days after the death of a New Hampshire man was announced.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said a woman in her 30s was exposed in the area of Plymouth County. It’s unclear if she lived in Plymouth County. The area was aerial sprayed for mosquitos Tuesday night but the woman became infected before the spraying. The state’s second EEE case in a horse was also confirmed in the same area.

In Plymouth County, EEE-positive mosquito samples were found in Abington, Carver, Halifax, Kingston, Marion, Middleboro, Plymouth, Rochester, Wareham and Whitman.

The first human case in Massachusetts this year was a man in his 80s exposed in southern Worcester County. A horse also died in Middleboro this week.

EEE has been largely absent from Massachusetts in recent years, with the last human case in 2020.

EEE death in New Hampshire

A 41-year-old man in New Hampshire died of EEE recently. Family said 41-year-old Steven Perry was healthy and active with no underlying conditions. He was then hospitalized with brain damage from EEE and died within a week.

The last known human case of EEE in New Hampshire was in 2014, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. That year, three people were infected and two died.

Massachusetts towns taking action

Due to concerns over EEE exposure, towns in Massachusetts are now spraying for mosquitos. In Plymouth, high school football games will be played in the afternoon as a precaution, as outdoor fields are being closed from dusk to dawn. Playgrounds and other parks are also being closed at dusk.

In Oxford, a recommended curfew was established. The curfew goes into effect after 6 p.m. on town properties.

How to protect yourself from EEE

EEE is rare but can be deadly in people of all ages and is generally spread to humans through a bite from an infected mosquito.

“EEE risk does not end on Labor Day,” said Massachusetts state epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown in a statement. “We continue to strongly advise that individuals in areas where EEE risk is at high and critical levels reschedule evening outdoor events to avoid peak mosquito biting hours.”

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said the best way to protect yourself from EEE is to use insect repellent with DEET as an ingredient, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and avoid going outdoors between dusk and dawn, which is peak biting time for mosquitos. Residents are also advised to drain standing water from rain gutters, wading pools or flowerpots, as mosquitos lay their eggs in standing water.

“The chance is out there, so you have to be careful, you need to be cognizant of it,” said Plymouth resident Dave Kindy. “You need to wear long clothing, you need to put on the spray, from dusk to dawn you need to be able to stay out and that’s just reality. You do what you have to do, otherwise you may end up paying the price.”