The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) released a Public Health Alert this Friday, informing the population that seven additional towns, among them Shrewsbury, have been added to the list of critical risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV). The virus, spread by mosquito bites and capable of infecting people of all ages —particularly young people under 15 and over 50 years old—, has a total of 26 confirmed human infections in Massachusetts since 2004, and at least ten deaths during the same period. According to the MDPH, 2 cases have been confirmed this year alone, one of them in the Town of Grafton.
To deal with the ensuing risk, the Department of Public Health has issued a series of recommendations and guidelines to minimize the infection hazard:
- Outdoor activities scheduled from dusk to dawn should be canceled, as they’re the ones where the mosquitoes are most active;
- Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors help to keep mosquitoes from reaching your skin;
- Insect repellent while outdoors is recommended: repellents with DEET(N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin(KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] are ideal. Follow the instructions in the product label and avoid using them on infants under two months, with lower concentrations on older children;
- Drain standing waters, as they’re breeding areas used by the mosquitoes (rain gutters, pet bowls, etc.)
- Install or repair screens at windows and doors, to prevent mosquitoes from coming indoors.
For more information and detailed reports of the current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts, check the MDPH website here.
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