A rare and potentially deadly disease transmitted by mosquitoes is prompting significant caution in Massachusetts, with one town closing its parks and recreational fields during the evening hours. Four additional communities are advising residents to limit outdoor activities after dark due to growing concerns over eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
Recent reports from state health officials confirm the state’s first human case of EEE since 2020, involving a man in his 80s. In response to this public health risk, Plymouth, located approximately 40 miles southeast of Boston, announced it would shut down all outdoor recreation facilities from dusk until dawn following the infection of a local horse.
State officials have identified Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster as areas at “critical risk” due to another confirmed case of the virus in Oxford. Residents are being advised to complete outdoor activities by 6 p.m. until September 30, and by 5 p.m. thereafter, to minimize exposure during peak mosquito activity.
Officials recommend that individuals across Massachusetts utilize mosquito repellent and eliminate standing water around their homes to help reduce mosquito populations.
The town manager of Oxford has issued a statement emphasizing the serious nature of the disease, highlighting the experiences of the affected man, who had previously believed he was not susceptible to mosquito bites. Now hospitalized, he is bravely fighting the virus, with his family urging the community to heed public health recommendations.
Earlier this year, a mosquito sample confirmed the presence of EEE in Massachusetts, with additional cases detected since. A 2019 outbreak saw 12 confirmed cases resulting in six deaths, followed by further cases in subsequent years, underscoring the risks associated with this disease.
Currently, there are no vaccines or specific treatments for EEE. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies EEE as a serious infection, with about 30% of cases resulting in death. Symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures, and survivors often face long-term disabilities.
EEE is primarily found in birds, and while humans can contract the virus, they do not transmit it. The CDC notes that only a handful of EEE cases occur annually in the U.S., with most infections reported in eastern and Gulf Coast states.
