DPH confirms season’s 1st WNV, EEE samples

The state Department of Public Health (DPH) announced last week that both West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) were detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The presence of WNV was confirmed in samples collected in Quincy on June 25, and EEE was found in samples collected in Carver on June 30.

No human or animal cases of either disease — both commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito — have been detected so far this year.

WNV can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious disease like encephalitis or meningitis; however, the majority of those who become infected (approximately 80 percent) will have no symptoms. Less than 1 percent of those infected will develop serious illness, but the risk is greater for people over age 50.

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. Symptoms include fever, stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. The most dangerous and frequent serious complication is encephalitis — inflammation and swelling of the brain.

According to state health officials, EEE activity tends to occur in outbreak cycles, with the last one occurring in 2019-20. During that two-year period, there were 17 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts with seven deaths. There were no human cases of EEE in the state in each of the past three years.

With the presence of both EEE and WNV now confirmed in Massachusetts this year, DPH is asking all residents to take the following precautions to prevent mosquito bites:

* When going outdoors, use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET, permethrin, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535) following the instructions on the label. DEET should not be used on infants under 2 months and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under age 3.

* Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors, and consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning — peak biting times for many mosquitoes.

* Since mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, check for places around your home that hold water and either drain or discard these items (rain gutters, drains, unused flowerpots, wading pools, birdbaths, etc.). Animal owners should flush out water troughs at least once a week during the summer.

* Ensure that you have tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

* Speak to your veterinarian about mosquito repellents and vaccinations approved for use in animals. If an animal is suspected of having either WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the state Division of Animal Health (617-626-1795) and DPH (617-983-6800).

For more information, including a list of all positive results, go to mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=125320

Posted by Canton Citizen on Jul 12 2024. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.