Photo credit: arstechnica.com
Residents of a small Massachusetts town are being advised to remain indoors during the evening hours due to a significant increase in the spread of a mosquito-borne virus, which has reached a “critical risk level.” This virus is responsible for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a severe illness with a high mortality rate that can kill between 30 to 50 percent of those infected, with children and the elderly being the most vulnerable groups. There is no known treatment for EEE, and around half of the survivors may experience permanent disabilities, with some succumbing to complications after a few years. In this case, an elderly resident from Oxford has already fallen seriously ill with neuroinvasive EEE.
EEE is transmitted by mosquitoes found in specific wetland regions, particularly across the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, as well as in the Great Lakes area. These mosquitoes act as vectors, transferring the virus between wild birds, animals, horses, and humans. While there are typically only about 11 cases per year reported in the U.S., health authorities regard any outbreak as a severe concern due to the potential risks involved.
On August 16, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed the first human case for the season and subsequently classified the risk as “critical” for the communities of Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster, all in Worcester County close to the Connecticut and Rhode Island borders.
Health Advisory Measures
Though the health department did not specify the resident’s identity, Oxford’s town manager, Jennifer Callahan, confirmed the elderly man’s hospitalization in a memorandum issued on Wednesday. Additionally, she noted an incident involving a nearby horse in Connecticut that recently died from EEE.
On the same day, officials from the four affected towns jointly published a health advisory that included a curfew recommendation aimed at mitigating mosquito exposure.
In a session held the previous night, the Oxford Board of Health approved the advisory, suggesting that residents avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active. The advisory encourages residents to complete outdoor activities by 6:00 PM until September 30, 2024, and by 5:00 PM afterward until the first significant frost. Additional recommendations include using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and inspecting homes for mosquito entry points.
Although the curfew is merely a recommendation and not a legally binding order, using town facilities such as recreational fields will require residents to submit indemnification forms along with proof of comprehensive insurance coverage.
This year, there have only been three confirmed cases of EEE in the U.S., with one each in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey, all categorized as neuroinvasive. The CDC estimates the fatality rate for these cases at about 30 percent, while data from Massachusetts displays a higher fatality rate, with approximately half of the diagnosed individuals succumbing to the disease.
Notably, a multi-state outbreak of EEE occurred in 2019, which reached a peak of 38 reported cases across several states, including 12 in Massachusetts, which resulted in six deaths.
Source
arstechnica.com