Westborough – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) said today in a press release that mammal-biting mosquitoes infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been detected in Westborough. As a result, health officials have raised the EEE threat level to “High” in the community and recommend that outdoor evening events are curtailed there for the remainder of the summer. Ground-based spraying by mosquito control projects is ongoing in Westborough and will be enhanced.
?”We continue to see elevated levels of EEE activity in mosquitoes across the region, so it's more important than ever for people to take precautions to avoid getting bit,” said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria. “Use insect repellant, cover up exposed skin, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and nighttime, when mosquitoes are at their most active. ”
There has been one confirmed human case of EEE in a Massachusetts resident this year, a Metrowest resident believed to have contracted the disease while traveling out of state. There were two cases of EEE in August of last year acquired in Massachusetts; a fatal case in a Bristol County man and an infection in a tourist from out of state. EEE activity in both 2010 and 2011 raised public concern and prompted DPH to work with a panel of experts to evaluate and enhance the state's surveillance and response program. EEE is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE is a serious disease in all ages and can even cause death.