Around New England

Massachusetts Sees First EEE Case Of The Year

August 5, 2020

It’s early August, but Eastern equine encephalitis is already in Massachusetts.

The mosquito-borne virus infected a minor in Middleborough, as WBUR reports. More than one-third of people who get EEE end up dying because there is no cure for it.

Although the town where the child lives in has not been reported, Middleborough and Carver are places where the state considers the threat posed by EEE to be critical.

Kingston, Plympton, and Rochester are considered high-risk towns, whereas Bridgewater, Halifax, Lakeville, Plymouth, Wareham, Raynham, and Taunton are considered moderate risk.

Massachusetts had 12 EEE cases last year, and six deaths.

Ways to lessen chances of contracting the virus include wearing long sleeves when possible, using mosquito spray, and avoiding outdoor activity between dawn and dusk, according to Mass.gov.


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