Carver, Middleboro Now at High Risk Level for EEE Read More: Carver, Middleboro Now at High Risk Level for EEE

 

BOSTON (WBSM) — The towns of Carver and Middleboro are now considered to have a high risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis after the Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised the risk level of both communities today.

In addition, the towns of Bridgewater, Lakeville and Rochester had their risk levels raised to moderate.

The new designations come after EEE was detected in additional mosquito levels collected in Abington, Middleboro, Wareham and Whitman.

Previously, 12 Massachusetts were already designated as moderate risk for EEE: Amesbury, Groveland, Halifax, Haverhill, Kingston, Merrimac, Newburyport, Plymouth, Plympton, Salisbury, Wareham and West Newbury.

The first EEE-positive mosquitoes in Massachusetts in 2024 were announced on July 3 from Carver.

READ MORE: Carver Has Massachusetts' First EEE Sample of 2024

EEE-infected mosquitoes were also found in Halifax and Kingston in Plymouth County, Barnstable in Barnstable County, and Amesbury and Haverhill in Essex County.

“Summer is a time for people to be outside and enjoy themselves. We want people to have fun and keep themselves safe by being informed about where EEE is being found in mosquitoes,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD.

“Everyone should take the recommended steps to prevent mosquito bites. We recommend that people in high-risk areas use mosquito repellents any time they are outside and consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning,” Dr. Goldstein said.

READ MORE: West Nile Virus Found in New Bedford Mosquito Sample

There have been no human cases in Massachusetts since 2020, when one person died from the virus and four other people contracted it. That was after six people died as a result of EEE in 2019, out of a total of 12 human cases that year.

“The mosquitoes that are most likely to spread EEE are most active between the hours of dusk and dawn,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. “They are also more active during hot and humid weather. We all want to enjoy this last month of summer but also want people to take steps to be safe from mosquitoes.”

In addition to EEE, mosquitoes can also carry West Nile Virus, which has recently been found in mosquito samples taken in New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven, among other Massachusetts communities.

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As we previously told you, mosquitoes are the most dangerous creatures on earth. If you want to keep them away from you're yard, these plants can help!

WBSM 1420 MOSQUITOES