A coastal city in Massachusetts is shutting its parks, playgrounds, and fields from nightfall to daybreak as a consequence of considerations in regards to the mosquito-borne virus Japanese equine encephalitis (EEE).
Plymouth put the early closures in place on Aug. 23, and suggested the general public to stay cautious and comply with the information discovered on the Massachusetts Division of Well being’s (DPH) web site. The information comes after state well being officers revealed on Aug. 16 that a person in his 80s had been contaminated with EEE after being uncovered in Worcester County—reportedly the primary human case in Massachusetts since 2020.
“As Mass DPH has now elevated Plymouth’s EEE threat standing to excessive, you will need to take additional precautions when outdoor and comply with state and native well being pointers to keep away from pointless threat of publicity to EEE,” stated Plymouth’s Commissioner of Well being and Human Providers, Michelle Bratti in a press launch. “The well being and security of our group, residents, and guests stay our precedence.”
Worcester County in Massachusetts can also be involved in regards to the mosquito-borne virus. On Saturday, Aug. 24, state officers introduced that they plan to spray for mosquitoes in sections of Worcester and Plymouth counties as a consequence of EEE.
Here’s what you have to know.
What’s Japanese equine encephalitis?
Per the Massachusetts DPH, EEE could be very uncommon, however extremely severe. For the reason that virus—that’s unfold by way of the chew of an contaminated mosquito—was first recognized in Massachusetts in 1938, simply over 115 instances have occurred. Moreover, outbreaks of EEE normally happen in Massachusetts each 10-20 years.
The press launch despatched out by the city of Plymouth said that, per the Massachusetts DPH, the “EEE fatality fee in people varies from 33% to 70%, with most deaths occurring 2–10 days after the onset of signs.”
Signs can embody fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral adjustments, and drowsiness. In line with the Massachusetts DPH, irritation and swelling of the mind, referred to as encephalitis, is essentially the most harmful and frequent severe complication of EEE.
EEE can exacerbate rapidly and a few sufferers could go right into a coma inside per week.
People and a few mammals are what’s often known as “dead-end hosts,” which means they don’t unfold the virus, though they get sick, to mosquitoes that chew them.
How is Japanese equine encephalitis examined and handled?
EEE is identified by way of signs and thru testing spinal fluid or blood, which may present if the virus or viral antibodies are current within the physique.
There are presently no vaccines for people or focused therapies for EEE. Per the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), scientific administration of the virus is suggested. Sufferers with EEE require shut monitoring by their well being care supplier, who could prescribe ache management or different therapies to take care of the particular signs of EEE.
General, prevention is vital. In Plymouth’s Aug. 23 discover, the town really useful sure methods for residents to keep away from mosquito bites, together with draining standing water, sporting lengthy sleeves and pants throughout peak mosquito hours, and putting in screens in your house. In addition they really useful using bug repellant, particularly a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient
Animal house owners ought to scale back potential mosquito breeding websites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers akin to buckets, tires, and wading swimming pools—particularly after heavy rains.
What U.S. cities have raised their EEE threat degree to “crucial” or “excessive”?
4 cities in Massachusetts have raised the EEE threat degree to “crucial”—Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster.
In line with the Massachusetts Division of Public Well being, the cities of Carver, Dudley, Middleborough, Northbridge, and Uxbridge additionally raised their EEE threat ranges to “excessive,” becoming a member of Plymouth.
Concern can also be mounting over the West Nile virus, which is primarily unfold by mosquitoes. In July, a number of native well being departments warned residents after officers detected mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in states throughout the U.S. As of Aug. 20, the CDC had recorded 216 instances in 33 states in 2024
On Aug. 24, it was confirmed that Dr. Anthony Fauci, who served because the chief medical advisor to the President from 2021 to 2022, had been hospitalized after being contaminated with West Nile virus. He’s now recovering at dwelling.
