Eighth Human EEE Case In MA Found In Bristol County

MANSFIELD, MA — A man in his 50s from northeastern Bristol County was diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Friday. So far this year, there have been seven other human cases of EEE in Massachusetts. One of those cases led to the death of a Fairhaven woman. Between 2010 and 2012 there were a total of nine.

Among those diagnosed in this outbreak is a 5-year-old Sudbury girl who nearly died, before showing signs of improvement.

The department and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources urged residents throughout the state to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

"Even though it is September, it is still mosquito season," Public Health commissioner Monica Bharel said in a statement. "We continue to emphasize the need for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites."

Since the virus was first identified in Massachusetts in 1938, fewer than 100 cases have been documented. More than 60 percent of those cases have been from Plymouth and Norfolk counties, according to the state.

The most recent outbreak of EEE in the state began in 2010 and included nine cases with four fatalities through 2012. Few people infected with the virus recover completely, according to state data.

Some municipalities, like Waltham, have announced curfews between dusk and dawn - when mosquitoes are most active - in parks to help prevent bites.

The next round of aerial spraying is scheduled to begin Friday night in Saturday morning in Middlesex, Norfolk and Worcester counties. More spraying is scheduled Monday in parts of Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties. Communities in or partially in the spray zone include:

• Hampden County: Brimfield, Palmer
• Hampshire County: Ware
• Worcester County: Brookfield, Charlton, East Brookfield, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Warren, West Brookfield.