Four New Cases of EEE in Horses Confirmed in Massachusetts

Four New Cases of EEE in Horses Confirmed in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced four additional confirmed cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in horses from Holliston, Medfield, Brookfield, and Granby.

These latest cases bring the total number of horse cases to seven in Massachusetts this year.

In Massachusetts, it is not only horses that are being infected by the virus, but more concerning is that humans are being infected as well and one has died.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

As GoLocalProv reported, a Fairhaven woman passed away after contracting the virus earlier this week. 

The woman who passed has been identified as Laurie Sylvia.

In total, there have been four confirmed human cases of EEE this year in Massachusetts. 

“As we head into the Labor Day weekend and the month of September people should not forget to bring and use an EPA-approved mosquito repellent for any outdoor activities. The peak time for transmission of mosquito-borne illness extends through September here in Massachusetts,”  said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH.

MA Health reminds all residents throughout the state to continue to use mosquito repellent and those in high and critical risk communities should consider staying indoors during the dusk to dawn hours to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

Risk Level Rises in MA

As a result of these recent cases, the risk level in Holliston, Medfield, Brookfield, and Granby has been raised to critical and in Belchertown, Brimfield, Chicopee, East Brookfield, Ludlow, Medway, Millis, North Brookfield, Sherborn, South Hadley, Sturbridge, Walpole, and West Brookfield the risk level has been raised to high.

According to MA Health, there are 28 communities now at critical risk, 37 at high risk, and 126 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts.

MA Health offers the following tips for protection:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas.

“Horses and other mammals are an important part of mosquito-borne disease surveillance because they are exposed by the same kinds of mosquitoes that can expose people,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown.

Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. 

Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.