Massachusetts detects first EEE-infected mosquitoes of 2026 in Kingston

Eastern equine encephalitis virus was detected in Massachusetts mosquitoes for the first time this year, state health officials announced Wednesday. The positive sample was collected Monday in Kingston, raising the EEE risk level to moderate in Kingston and nearby towns. No human or animal EEE cases have been reported so far in 2026. The rare but potentially fatal disease spreads through mosquito bites, prompting officials to urge precautions statewide. Massachusetts experienced its worst EEE outbreak in 2019, with 12 illnesses and six deaths, followed by a 2024 outbreak with four cases and one death. Officials advise using EPA-registered repellents and avoiding outdoor activity at dusk and dawn.