A coastal city in Massachusetts is shutting its parks, playgrounds, and fields from nightfall to daybreak because of considerations concerning 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 observe 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, it is very important take further precautions when outdoor and observe state and native well being tips to keep away from pointless threat of publicity to EEE,” mentioned Plymouth’s Commissioner of Well being and Human Providers, Michelle Bratti, in a press launch. “The well being and security of our neighborhood, residents, and guests stay our precedence.”
Worcester County in Massachusetts can also be involved concerning 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 because of EEE.
Here’s what you have to know.
What’s Japanese equine encephalitis?
Per the Massachusetts DPH, EEE may be very uncommon, however extremely critical. Because the virus—that’s unfold by means of the chunk 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 acknowledged 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 modifications, and drowsiness. In response to the Massachusetts DPH, irritation and swelling of the mind, referred to as encephalitis, is essentially the most harmful and frequent critical complication of EEE.
EEE can exacerbate shortly and a few sufferers could go right into a coma inside every week.
People and a few mammals are what’s generally known as “dead-end hosts,” which means they don’t unfold the virus, regardless that they get sick, to mosquitoes that chunk them.
How is Japanese equine encephalitis examined and handled?
EEE is identified by means 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 at present no vaccines for people or focused therapies for EEE. Per the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), medical 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.
Total, prevention is vital. In Plymouth’s Aug. 23 discover, town beneficial sure methods for residents to keep away from mosquito bites, together with draining standing water, carrying lengthy sleeves and pants throughout peak mosquito hours, and putting in screens in your house. Additionally they beneficial using bug repellant, particularly a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient.
Animal house owners ought to cut 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 “essential” or “excessive”?
4 cities in Massachusetts have raised the EEE threat degree to “essential”—Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster.
In response to 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.
