Health officials are warning that a rare but dangerous mosquito-borne disease is becoming a serious concern in parts of New England. This has led to the cancellation of some events and changes to sports schedules to help prevent people from getting bitten by infected mosquitoes.
The disease, known as eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), can lead to severe symptoms like vomiting and seizures. Last week, officials reported that a resident of New Hampshire who contracted EEE has died. Additionally, there have been two confirmed cases in Massachusetts and one in Vermont this summer. As a precaution, officials are advising people to stay indoors before dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
In Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, the popular Oktoberfest celebration has been canceled. Moreover, some schools in New England are adjusting their sports practice schedules to avoid peak mosquito hours.
Despite being rare, EEE is very serious. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30% of those infected may die, and survivors can face long-term mental and physical challenges. The CDC also notes that people over the age of 50 and those under 15 are particularly at greater risk for severe illness.
“The data from Vermont and the current levels of virus activity in New England show that we need to treat the threat of EEE seriously,” Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont’s health commissioner, said in a statement last week.
This year, much higher numbers of mosquitoes are testing positive for the virus compared to previous years. Residents living in high-risk areas are being urged to refrain from outdoor activities at night until the first hard frost arrives, which will help eliminate the mosquitoes, according to the health department.
Last week, a weekly outdoor evening festival that featured live music, food, and drinks was also canceled at Burlington’s Intervale for the safety of staff and the community, organizers indicated.
In Massachusetts, the town of Plymouth is shutting down its parks and fields each evening, and at least four other towns are advising residents to limit outdoor activities during the night. During an outbreak in Massachusetts in 2019, six individuals died out of 12 confirmed cases, with the outbreak continuing into the next year, resulting in five additional cases and another death.
Currently, there are no vaccines or specific treatments for EEE. Each year, only a few cases are reported in the United States, mainly in eastern and Gulf Coast states, according to the CDC.
