News

EEE virus found in mosquito for first time this season

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in a mosquito in Massachusetts for the first time this year.

The mosquito samples were collected on August 17 in Lakeville and tested at the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory.

State health officials said the single finding doesn’t indicate an elevated risk from EEE at this time. They’ll continue to trap and test mosquitos in the area to monitor the risk.

There were no human cases of EEE last year and there have been none so far this year.

“We have been fortunate over the last several years to see little evidence of EEE activity,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel, MD. MPH. “Despite that, we know EEE occurs in Massachusetts and this is a timely reminder of that fact.”

The drought in 2015 through 2016 reduced the species of mosquitoes that are responsible for amplifying EEE virus in the bird population.

“The last couple of years have been rebuilding years and our job will be to continue to closely monitor EEE activity through the mosquito surveillance done in conjunction with the Mosquito Control Districts,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown.

EEE is a rare, but serious and potentially fatal disease, that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

People are being urged to protect themselves from mosquitoes.