First human case of electrical and electronic equipment in Massachusetts since 2020 leads to warnings – and a curfew in one city

Local news

Four towns in Massachusetts are at “critical” risk for Eastern equine encephalomyelitis after an 80-year-old man was diagnosed with the dangerous mosquito-borne disease.

Massachusetts authorities announced the first confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) in humans since 2020.

An 80-year-old man in Worcester County has been infected with the mosquito-borne virus, the state Department of Health (DPH) recently announced. Authorities did not provide specific information about where or how the man was exposed to the virus or what his current condition is.

The virus causes severe illness and has a mortality rate of 30 percent. Twelve Massachusetts residents were infected with EEE in 2019, and six of them died. One of the five people who contracted the virus in 2020 also died.

“This is the first time we have seen a person infected with EEE in Massachusetts since 2020,” said Health Officer Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “EEE is a rare but serious disease and a public health concern. We want to remind residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in the areas of the state where we are seeing EEE activity.”

Four towns are currently considered to be at “critical” risk – Douglas, Sutton, Webster and Oxford. Local authorities are urging extreme caution, and Oxford has even imposed a 6pm curfew on outdoor activities on town property.

The decision sparked anger among residents who said the curfew would impact school sporting events and practices. However, the curfew follows the recommendation of government health experts who say the risk is highest from early evening to morning.

“In addition to using mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient and wearing clothing that reduces exposed skin, we also recommend planning evening outdoor events to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. “The mosquitoes most likely to spread EEE are most active at dusk.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of EEE include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness. Many people who survive the disease experience persistent neurological problems.

According to the CDC, there are no vaccines to prevent EEE and no medications to treat it.

In addition to the four critical risk cities, six cities are considered “high risk cities” for electrical and electronic equipment: Uxbridge, Northbridge, Carver, Dudley, Middleborough and Plymouth.

Twenty-three additional cities are considered medium-risk EEE areas. These are the following cities:

• Amesbury
• Auburn
• Bridgewater
• Charlton
• Grafton
• Groveland
• Halifax
• Haverhill
• Kingston
• Lakeville
• Leicester
• Mendon
• Merrimac
• Millbury
• Millville
• Newburyport
• Plympton
• Rochester
• Salisbury
• South Bridge
• Upton
• Wareham
• West Newbury

The public can view a live electrical and electronic equipment risk map on Mass.gov.