Canton Mosquito Found Positive For EEE

CANTON, MA — Canton is the latest Massachusetts community — and one of the first other than a South Shore coastal town — to have a mosquito found there test positive for Eastern equine encephalitis.

Canton fire said that on Aug. 5 the town was notified of the positive test. No humans have tested positive for the virus in the town this summer.

Additional truck-mounted mosquito spraying is planned for the town.

The state's first human case of EEE this season was reported in Middleboro on Monday. When the Massachusetts Department of Public Health informed the town of the positive diagnosis, all outdoor activities on town property were prohibited from dusk until dawn.

The DPH raised the EEE risk level to "critical" in Middleboro and Carver. Kingston, Plympton and Rochester are at "high" risk. Bridgewater, Halifax, Lakeville, Plymouth, and Wareham in Plymouth County, and Raynham and Taunton in Bristol County, are at "moderate" risk.

"EEE is rare, but it is a serious disease and public health concern, and we remind residents of the need to protect themselves from mosquito bites as EEE activity increases," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel. "The single best prevention tool continues to be avoiding mosquito bites by using repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, weather permitting, and avoiding outdoor activity between the hours of dusk and dawn in the highest risk areas."

Middleboro became the second South Shore town to cancel dusk-to-dawn outdoor activities after the Carver Board of Health canceled all outdoor activities on town property 29 after the town received notification that a second batch of mosquitoes tested positive for the virus.

State officials said earlier this month to expect a tough summer when it comes to EEE just as residents look to get outdoors more often after the coronavirus crisis quarantine this spring.

More Patch Coverage: Carver Bans Night Outdoor Activities Due To 'High' EEE Risk Level Mosquito-Borne Virus's Early Arrival Presents New Health Concern
Mosquito Samples Detect EEE For First Time In MA In 2020