Massachusetts officials urge mosquito precautions after first EEE detection

boston.com

Massachusetts health officials confirmed the season's first Eastern equine encephalitis virus detection in mosquitoes, found in Kingston on Aug. 17, raising the risk level to moderate in four communities. No human or animal EEE cases have been reported this year. The state saw 12 human cases in 2019 with six deaths, five in 2020 with one death, and four in 2024 with one death, though none in 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2025. Officials urge using EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and avoiding outdoor activity from dusk to dawn. They also recommend draining standing water around homes and consulting veterinarians about repellents and vaccinations for pets and horses.


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