Rare Mosquito-Borne Virus Leads to Park Closures Across US Towns

A rare and potentially fatal mosquito-borne virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), has prompted authorities to close public parks and restrict outdoor activities in nearly a dozen towns across Massachusetts. This preventative measure is being taken as the state faces a significant health threat from the virus, which has no available vaccines or specific treatments.

EEE, also known as "Triple E," is transmitted through mosquito bites and has been detected in mosquitoes across several Massachusetts communities. As of the latest reports, ten towns have been identified as either high or critical risk areas for EEE following positive tests in local mosquito populations.

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The situation has been exacerbated by the recent confirmation of the first human case of EEE in Massachusetts since 2020. An elderly man was diagnosed with the virus on August 16, and a horse in Plymouth has also tested positive, heightening the area's risk level. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has warned that the virus is extremely serious, with a mortality rate between 33% and 70%. Most deaths occur within two to ten days after symptoms first appear, which can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and behavioral changes.

In response to the outbreak, health officials have begun aerial spraying of the pesticide Anvil 10+10, an EPA-registered product for mosquito control. Residents are being advised to avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito activity hours in the evening, particularly in areas where EEE has been reported.

Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “EEE is a rare but serious disease and a public health concern. We want to remind residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, particularly in high-risk areas.”

This outbreak is not unprecedented for Massachusetts, which saw 17 human cases and seven deaths from EEE in 2019 and 2020. Although EEE is rare, with about 11 cases reported annually in the US, the virus is highly dangerous, and many survivors suffer long-term neurological problems.

In addition to EEE, eight municipalities in Massachusetts are also at elevated risk for West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne illness. Recently, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, contracted West Nile virus and is recovering at home after a six-day hospital stay.

State health officials continue to urge the public to take comprehensive precautions to protect against mosquito bites and mitigate the risk of infection from both EEE and West Nile virus.

Aug. 27, 2024 4:01 p.m. 409

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