Newton North, Waltham High Football Game Change: EEE Precaution

WALTHAM, MA — The big opening rivalry football game where the hawks face off against Newton North has been moved from Friday night to Saturday at 2 p.m. at Leary Field.

The move comes just a day after Waltham Parks and Recreation announced a curfew in Waltham parks as a precaution against mosquito bites and EEE.

"The game change was as a precaution due to EEE," confirmed Waltham High School Athletic Director Steven LaForest. "We had very few night games, so we have changed a few to be safe."

Most of the school's play happens around 4 p.m., so they haven't had to make a lot of changes, he said.

"Always best to be safe," he added.

Last month a Fairfield woman died after contracting the disease. She was the fourth person to contract the disease in Massachusetts this year.

Waltham public parks, playing fields and all other outdoor rec areas will be closed from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m., according to the city's parks and rec department.

There is no EEE reported in Waltham.

"This is a proactive measure & We'll return to normal hrs once threat is reduced," the city tweeted about the curfew this week.

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus. 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 health data.

For more info on how to protect yourself from mosquitoes and the virus the state has a fact sheet, which includes tips such as staying indoors when mosquitoes are most active (from dusk to dawn), wearing long sleeves and pants when you are outside, and using DEET. Authorities also recommend making sure there's no unnecessary standing water collecting and creating a breeding ground for the insects.

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Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).