Eastern Equine Encaphalitis in United States
21 Sep 2012
The Department of Public Health for the state of Massachusetts announced the diagnosis of a third human case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in a local resident. The patient, a female under the age of 18, was diagnosed in early September and is currently being treated in hospital.
Based on this finding, the EEE threat level has been raised in several towns in Franklin County and Worcester County. The EEE threat level has been raised to 'Critical' in Athol, Orange, and Royalston, and to 'High' in Erving, Petersham, Phillipston, Templeton, Warwick, Wendell, and Winchendon. These communities have been advised to cancel all planned evening outdoor events for the remainder of the season until the first hard frost.
Advice for Travellers
Eastern equine encephalitis is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, therefore avoidance of mosquito bites is essential, by 'covering up' and the use of bite avoidance measures.