RRRREEE Outbreak
I wonder if that's how EEE came to be?
EEE found in Taunton mosquitos — Worcester County has state's first human case in 4 years
Daniel Schemer
The Taunton Daily Gazette
TAUNTON — Both Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) have been detected in mosquitos collected in Taunton, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Mosquito samples collected Aug. 6, 2024 by the state turned up one positive sample each for EEE and WNV, according to the Department of Public Health's website.
As of Aug. 15, 2024, the state classifies Taunton low risk for EEE, meaning infection may occur, and moderate risk for WNV, meaning infection is likely to occur.
The detection of EEE in the Taunton mosquito sample comes just as the state announced the first human case of EEE in Massachusetts in four years — in a man in his 80s exposed to the virus in Worcester County, the state said.
What is EEE?
EEE is a rare but very serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.
EEE is rarer than West Nile but also more dangerous. The state's most recent outbreak before this year was in 2020. In 2019, there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts with six deaths. And in 2020, there were five human cases with one death, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette is reporting.
Taunton resident Scott Mosman was one of the six people who died of EEE in 2019.
What is WNV?
West Nile Virus is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.
The Department of Public Health has reported on 2 human cases of WNV contracted this year: One in Hampden County; and the other in Middlesex County.
How to protect yourself?
The City of Taunton on its website makes several recommendations for protecting oneself from mosquito bites:
Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
If you can withstand the heat, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens on windows and doors
https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2024/08/16/taunton-ma-eastern-equine-encphalitis-west-nile-virus-mosquitoes-test-positive/74830942007/