by Joan Eliyesil ·
Friday, September 13, 2024
On Sept. 5, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised the risk level for Eastern equine encephalitis to “high” in Harvard and the Middlesex County towns of Ayer, Boxborough, Acton, Littleton, and Carlisle. The MDPH definition of high risk is “conditions likely to lead to infection of a person with EEE are occurring in your area.”
The action was taken after a Middlesex County man in his 50s was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis on Aug. 22, bringing the total number of EEE cases in Massachusetts this summer to four. Two cases were exposed to EEE in Middlesex County, one was exposed in Worcester County, and the fourth exposure was in Plymouth County. Two EEE cases in horses, both in Plymouth County, have also been reported this summer.
The virus is transmitted to people through the bite of a mosquito infected with EEE. As of this week, 92 mosquito samples have tested positive for EEE. In Middlesex County, nine positive samples were found in Sudbury and two in North Reading; in Worcester County, two positive samples were found in Dudley and one in Upton. According to MDPH, the last outbreak of EEE in Massachusetts occurred during the summers of 2019 and 2020. There were a total of 17 human cases those two years, and seven patients died.
In light of the elevated EEE risk in Harvard, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted Sept. 9 to follow MDPH guidance on rescheduling outdoor activities to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn. The week of Sept. 9, fields will close at 7 p.m. The following week, they will close at 6:45 p.m., and fields will close 15 minutes earlier each week as daylight hours shorten.
The Lions Club also changed the hours of its Sept. 14 Fall Fest from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. to 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. to avoid peak mosquito activity. Board of Health Chair Libby Levison also told the Press that Fruitlands will start its remaining outdoor concerts earlier, and it has canceled plans for a moonlight walk on Sept. 17.
Residents in high risk areas need to avoid mosquito bites. MDPH recommends avoiding outside activity during the evening or early morning. When outdoors, apply insect repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Read product labels carefully to determine if a product is safe for children. Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks to avoid skin exposure.
Make homes mosquito-proof by installing or repairing screens on all windows and doors. Mosquitos breed in standing water, so drain water in flowerpots, wading pools, gutters, and drains. Change birdbath water frequently.
The risk of West Nile virus remains low in Harvard. While 10 human cases of the virus have been reported in Massachusetts this summer, none have occurred in Harvard or surrounding communities. Three cases were reported in Middlesex County, but the highest risk is concentrated in the southeastern part of the county. The moderate risk area extends as far west and north as Stow, but no farther. In Worcester County, the area around the City of Worcester is also at moderate risk.
Information about EEE and West Nile virus as well as reports of current and historical EEE and West Nile virus activity in Massachusetts, can be found at mass.gov/dph/mosquito. Resources are also available on the Board of Health website at harvard-ma.gov/board-health/pages/mosquitoes.