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Eastern equine encephalitisThis is a deadly mosquito virus. Massachusetts Cities and towns were on high alert ahead of the Labor Day weekend.
This week, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health placed Worcester County residents in a “severe risk level” following A man in his 80s was infected Earlier this month, the department said it was declining to release further details about the case due to concerns about patient privacy.
Three cases of Eastern equine encephalitis Ten cases have been confirmed on the East Coast. Last year there were seven cases, and most of the cases over the past 20 years have been on the East Coast.
This virus is rare but very serious. It is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes and kills about 30% of those infected. Survivors are often left with neurological problems. There is currently no vaccine or medicine to treat or prevent the disease.
On Tuesday, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said an adult resident of Hampstead died after testing positive for Eastern equine encephalitis. The patient was hospitalized with severe central nervous system disease. The last reported Eastern equine encephalitis infection in the state was a decade ago.
In neighboring Massachusetts, the towns of Douglas, Oxford, Sutton and Webster were listed as “critical,” while Dudley, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Boston, Abington, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Marion, Mattapossett, Rochester and Whitman were at the “high” risk level.
Last Wednesday, Oxford approves controversial voluntary curfew People will have to stay indoors from 6pm until September 30. From October 1, the recommended curfew will start at 5pm until the first frost. The measures are designed to help people avoid the peak mosquito season from dusk to dawn.
People are also advised to take preventive measures, including using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and draining standing water. mosquito Usually lay eggs. Repellents containing DEET, permethrins, picaridin, IR3535, lemon oil or eucalyptus oil are effective against mosquitoes but must be checked for safety before use on children.
But someOxford ResidentThere is confusion about the recommendations, which differ from those provided by the state health department, which recommends that people consider rescheduling outdoor activities in the evening or early morning in high-risk areas.
Various groups also shared their own prevention measures.
The Oxford Township minor league baseball team is requiring players to wear long-sleeved shirts under their jerseys and asking the team and spectators to use mosquito repellent, according to a Facebook post, which added that players who wish to opt out of the season will receive a refund.
The town of Oxford said in a separate Facebook post that it would not prohibit private sports leagues from using the town’s fields and that any organization planning to play outdoor games after curfew would need to contact the town’s recreation board.
It’s only an hour’s drive from here. Public parks and fields in the town of Plymouth Little League and other organizations have been closed from dusk to dawn since last Friday. Little League and other organizations are prohibited from continuing outdoor activities after dusk.
Last week, trucks were used to spray some communities in Plymouth County with a pesticide called Anvil 10+10, which was applied by ultra-low volume sprayers, health officials said.
The department said the pesticide poses a low health risk and exposure to the amount is unlikely to cause adverse health effects. People with chemical sensitivities and respiratory conditions are asked to stay indoors.
Spraying is expected to continue at dusk. Several Massachusetts counties will begin spraying pesticides on Tuesday. Plymouth County will use two small planes for aerial spraying, and southern Worcester County will conduct ground spraying. In southern Worcester County, the towns of Northbridge and Webster will use trucks to spray.
Although Massachusetts says spraying is necessary to reduce the risk of humans contracting the virus, spraying does not eliminate the virus.
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