United States: The state health officials were notified on Monday about the fourth human case of Eastern equine encephalitis, which was detected in the Massachusetts region this season.
More about the news
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the newest case was reported in a man over fifty years old. He was exposed to a mosquito-borne virus in an area of Middlesex County, which is already marked as at high risk for EEE disease.
In Massachusetts, ninety-one EEE cases have been coming to light, with a maximum of them coming from Plymouth And Worcester counties/
Bristol, Essex, and Middlesex counties have also seen a rise in disease cases.
According to the official report, along with four human cases, two cases of infection have also been reported in horses this season.
During 2019-202, in the last outbreak, EEE had seen seventeen cases in humans, with seven deaths.
What more are the experts stating?
According to Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, “This year’s EEE season has been particularly active and is generating a lot of concern in communities across Massachusetts,” boston.com reported.
“While EEE remains a rare disease, the risk level is elevated in multiple communities. With the weather forecast showing warm, sunny weather for the rest of the week, we recommend that people take necessary precautions in areas of elevated risk,” Goldstein continued.
More about the disease
The Eastern equine encephalitis disease is not the only cause of worry during this mosquito breeding season; in fact, West Nile virus cases have also seen an uprise across the US, as officials noted.
As of Monday, seven human cases have been notified in the country.
According to the state health officials, “People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes,” boston.com reported.
Precautions urged by the officials
The state has been urging residents to follow precautionary steps to beat this mosquito-infested season.
One must have a mosquito-proof house setting by eliminating standing water, such as in flower pots or drainage, where mosquitoes could lay their eggs. Installment of screens is also urged to be kept, to keep the bugs out of the house.
Also, the officials have urged people to avoid mosquito bites, with the help of regular application of insect repellent, avoid visits to parks at dusk to dawn hours, and wear full-length and long-sleeved clothes.