BOSTON —
The risk of contracting Eastern equine encephalitis has been raised in multiple Massachusetts towns after it was detected in additional mosquito samples throughout the state, public health officials announced Friday.
Additional samples collected in Abington, Middleborough, Wareham and Whitman tested positive for EEE. These findings caused public health officials to raise risk levels to be high in Carver and Middleborough and to moderate in Bridgewater, Lakeville and Rochester.
EEE was detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time in 2024 on July 3 in Carver.
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.
In 2019, there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts, with six deaths; in 2020, there were five human cases and one death. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022 or 2023.
Health officials urge residents and visitors to apply insect repellent when outside, be aware of peak mosquito hours — dusk to dawn and wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outside.
More information, including all West Nile virus and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information webpage at Mosquito-borne Diseases | Mass.gov, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.