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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Department Of Health has confirmed the first human case in six years of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection.
A man in southern Plymouth County was reported to have EEE on Saturday. Mosquitoes in the area carry the virus.
Nine communities in southeastern Massachusetts have been raised to a critical risk level. This includes Caver, Lakeville, Marion, Middleborough, Rochester, Wareham in Plymouth County and Acushnet, Freetown, and New Bedford in Bristol County.
“Today’s news is evidence of a significant risk from EEE and we are asking residents to take this risk very seriously,” Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor this situation and the impacted communities.”
Several towns have started aerial spraying mosquitos carrying EEE.
Officials reminded residents to continue to use bug spray and to consider staying indoors to avoid being exposed.
Fifteen communities, beyond the nine communities are critical risk, are considered to be at high risk.
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