BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) – A second case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse was found in Belchertown Wednesday, the Mass. Dept. of Public Health announced.
The first horse found to have EEE was also stabled in Belchertown.
Due to the horse's proximity to the Amherst border and last week's positive mosquitoes, the EEE threat level has been raised to "High" in Amherst and to "Moderate" in Hadley and South Hadley. The towns of Hatsfield, Northampton, and Whately have been raised to "Low."
There have been no human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) or EEE so far this year. Seven Massachusetts residents acquired EEE in 2012.
The DPH urges communities designated as "High" and "Critical" to cancel evening outdoor events for the remainder of the mosquito season.
Individuals should continue to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites due to the threat of illness.