Grafton Man Is Second Reported Case Of Human EEE Virus

GRAFTON, MA — A man in Grafton tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on Friday that the man is between the ages of 19-30 from Grafton tested positive for the virus. Ten communities in the area have been elevated to critical risk levels.

This is the first time that an EEE-positive human case was confirmed in the MetroWest region and the second EEE-positive human case in the state this year. Six days ago, a man over 60 from Plymouth County was confirmed with the disease. A young goat in Bristol County has also tested positive for EEE, raising the risk to critical in three additional communities there.

Westborough mosquitoes tested positive for EEE virus last week but no human cases were reported in the town.

The ten communities now at critical risk are Hopkinton in Middlesex County, and Grafton, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Upton, and Westborough in Worcester County. Easton, Norton and Raynham are also at critical risk. In addition, Framingham and Marlborough in Middlesex County, and Millbury, Northborough, and Sutton in Worcester County are considered at high risk.

“The most intense level of EEE activity is still being seen in Bristol and Plymouth Counties,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “However, in active EEE years, the virus may move outside of southeastern Massachusetts. This is evidence of that movement, and residents in the area of increased risk should use mosquito repellent and avoid outdoor activities at night. ”

The Sam Wong, Director of Framingham's Health Department said he will work closely with Framingham Parks & Rec to suggest modifications to outdoor programming. Two weeks ago, mosquito samples collected from Framingham tested positive for West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes in Worcester also tested positive for West Nile Virus — both communities have mosquito spraying scheduled for the coming weeks.

In total across Massachusetts, there are 19 communities now at critical risk, 18 at high risk, and 24 at moderate risk for the EEE virus as determined by DPH.

EEE, which can be deadly in some cases, has been found in 288 mosquito samples this year. The DPH said half of those are from species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to humans.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Since the virus was first identified in Massachusetts in 1938, fewer than 100 cases have occurred.

The first symptoms of EEE are fever, usually 103º to 106ºF, stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, these symptoms show up three to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous and frequent serious complication. The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week.

Here are some helpful tips to stay safe this summer:

Avoid Mosquito Bites
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.
• Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m- toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8- diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home
• Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
Protect Your Animals Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarians about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent EEE and WNV.