The virus in question, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), has put ten communities in Massachusetts on high alert. Designated as high or critical risk zones, these areas are now grappling with the spread of EEE, commonly referred to as “Triple E.” The virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, has prompted urgent public health measures as officials seek to mitigate the threat.
As of now, there are no vaccines or specific treatments available for EEE, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes as a “very serious” disease. Communities were first alerted after mosquitoes in the region tested positive for the virus, and the state confirmed its first human case of EEE since 2020.
The situation escalated when a horse in Plymouth, Massachusetts, was diagnosed with the virus, raising the town’s risk level to high. Shortly after, on August 16, a man in his 80s was diagnosed as the first human case in the state, marking a significant escalation in the threat level.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health warns that EEE carries a high mortality rate, with 33% to 70% of those infected succumbing to the disease within two to ten days of symptom onset. The symptoms of EEE are severe, including fever, headache, vomiting, seizures, and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
“EEE is a rare but severe illness and poses a significant public health concern,” said Massachusetts public health commissioner Robbie Goldstein. He emphasized the importance of residents taking precautions against mosquito bites, particularly in regions where EEE activity has been detected.
In response to the outbreak, officials are deploying aerial spraying of the pesticide Anvil 10+10, an EPA-registered product used to control mosquito populations. State health authorities are also advising residents to avoid outdoor activities during the evening hours, when mosquitoes are most active, until at least the end of September.
This is not the first time Massachusetts has faced an outbreak of EEE. The state reported 17 human cases and seven deaths from the virus between 2019 and 2020, highlighting the persistent threat posed by this rare disease. On average, only 11 cases of EEE are reported annually across the United States, according to the CDC.
Adding to the public health concerns, officials have also identified eight municipalities in Massachusetts as high-risk areas for West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne illness. Cases of West Nile have been reported in over 30 states, with notable individuals, including former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci, among those infected. Fauci is currently recovering at home after a six-day hospital stay due to the virus.
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