EEE Risk 'High' In Parts Of Massachusetts After New Positive Samples Found

CARVER, MA — More than a dozen communities in southeastern Massachusetts have an increased risk of Eastern equine encephalitis after new mosquito samples tested positive for the rare but deadly disease.

State health officials on Friday raised the EEE risk level to "high" in Carver and Middleborough, and "moderate" in Bridgewater, Lakeville and Rochester. Risk levels have also been raised to "moderate" in Essex and Plymouth counties, including Amesbury, Groveland, Halifax, Haverhill, Kingston, Merrimac, Newburyport, Plymouth, Plympton, Salisbury, Wareham and West Newbury.

"Everyone should take the recommended steps to prevent mosquito bites. We recommend that people in high-risk areas use mosquito repellents any time they are outside and consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning," state Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said in a news release.

The last time EEE risk levels were elevated to "high" was in September 2023 after positive samples were collected in southern Worcester County. No human cases were recorded in 2023.

Massachusetts has not had a human case of EEE since 2020, when there were five cases and one death. The 2019 mosquito season had the worst EEE outbreak in years, with 12 cases and six deaths.

Health officials urged residents across Massachusetts to take precautions outdoors at this time of year. Mosquitoes that carry EEE are most active during dawn and dusk hours.

"They are also more active during hot and humid weather. We all want to enjoy this last month of summer but also want people to take steps to be safe from mosquitoes," state Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown said in a news release Friday.

The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to cover bare skin or use repellents that contain DEET or picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, health officials said. Clothing treated with permethrin is also effective.

West Nile virus has also been present in mosquitoes this summer, with 100 positive samples as of Friday. The risk level to humans was "moderate" in a handful of communities, including Worcester, Boston, Framingham and Taunton as of Friday.

See Also: Summer Heat Brings Plenty Of Fun, Danger Warnings To MA