The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced the first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a Massachusetts resident. A woman in her 80s from Norfolk County contracted EEE in mid-August and died several days later.
The Department of Public Health is conducting an investigation to determine where the woman was most likely exposed to infected mosquitoes. Assessment of EEE risk areas will depend on the findings of this investigation.
People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes. Don’t assume this is a disease that only the weak, young, or elderly can contract. Although the chances of contracting the disease are rare, it’s not worth playing a numbers game. Be sure to protect yourself.
Jeff Fuller, a 45 year from Middleboro, who loved to fish and hunt, contracted EEE from a mosquito bite while camping with his family two years ago. As a result of the disease he is no longer independent. At the time Jeff and his wife Maureen never worried about contracting the disease themselves, they were healthy adults. In an NECN interview last year Maureen said people who throw caution to the wind, who don’t wear bug spray at dusk, especially in southeastern Massachusetts, may be on the unwelcome, receiving end of a mosquito that flies by. NECN recently followed up see how he was doing, you can watch the video here.
The first symptoms of EEE are fever, stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous and common serious complication.
Below are tips from the DPH:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
- Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 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.
- Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
- Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
- Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding 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. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.
UPTON DAILY 