Westborough – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on Sept. 21 that the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Westborough. In 2010, 3,558 mosquito samples were tested for EEE and 65 positive samples were identified in Massachusetts. Westborough had no EEE-positive mosquito samples identified in 2010.
EEE is a rare, but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.
Information about EEE and reports of EEE activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH web site at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv. The Westborough Board of Health can be contacted at 1-508-366-3045 for more information.
