BCAT News

With a cluster of cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, in Massachusetts, some towns are on high alert, and at least one Bay State town has shut down its parks and playgrounds from dusk to dawn to reduce the risk of the potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease. 

But according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the risk level in Burlington is “Remote,” which means EEE is not usually found in this area. 

“I will note that the towns to our East and South (Woburn and Lexington) also have a risk level of ‘Remote’ while the towns to our North and West (Wilmington, Billerica and Bedford) are at risk level of ‘Moderate,'” said Burlington Board of Health Environmental Engineer Christine Mathis. 

Wilmington, Billerica and Bedford were upgraded from “Low” to “Moderate” risk level on September 6, meaning EEE-positive mosquitos were in the area in the last year or the current year. 

Mathis says that clusters of EEE have typically occurred over periods of two to three years; in the last cluster, between 2019 and 2020, there were 17 human cases of EEE reported. There were no human cases reported in 2022 or 2023, although some mosquitos were found to carry the virus. “Year-to-date, the number of EEE-positive mosquitoes is higher than non-cluster years and there have been two animal and three human EEE cases,” she said. 

EEE is commonly transferred to humans from mosquitos, who can get it from biting infected birds. Symptoms of EEE, including fever, stiff neck, headache and lack of energy, can emerge between three and 10 days of getting bitten, and can worsen rapidly. The mortality rate is between 30 and 50 percent. Those with symptoms should seek medical attention. 

To avoid mosquito bites, use EPA-approved repellents, wear appropriate clothing, avoid outdoor activities during dusk and dawn and remove sources of standing water.