Board of Health warns of high EEE risk

State issues alert, but activities carry on

By Jonathan Cook

Turley Publications Reporter

WARREN – The Board of Health is spreading the message that this town is considered at high risk of humans contracting Eastern Equine Encephalitis or EEE.

A horse near Reed Street was diagnosed with the disease after it was euthanized about four weeks ago. Since then, Board of Health Chair Bob Downing reports that the state has an epidemiologist trapping mosquitoes in town. But so far, the disease has not been found.

Downing said “Nevertheless, we know it’s out there.”

He added that people should consider curtailing activities at the high risk times of dawn and dusk.

There are only a few species of mosquito that will bite both humans and birds. Therefore, only those mosquitoes can transmit the disease.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) birds are known as amplifying hosts. In order for a human to get EEE, a mosquito must first bite an infected bird, and then a human. Humans are called dead end hosts, because they do not transfer the disease. However, the term dead-end has an eerie ring to it because EEE has caused six deaths in the Commonwealth since 2004. Also, a man in Middleborough has tested positive for the disease and a man with EEE in Rhode Island is in critical condition, according to reports.

On the other hand, the CDC says most people infected with EEE have no symptoms.

In Middleborough, many evening activities have been halted and the ball fields, beaches and parks are closed after 6 p.m.

Not here. Downing called a meeting with school administrators to brief them on the disease and how to prevent it. And even though the Department of Public Health has recommended this town “curtail all outdoor activities during the hours surrounding dawn and dusk, outdoor life goes as normal.

Last Wednesday evening, the Concert on the Common had its usually large turnout. Family Fun Day included music at dusk and fireworks right after. Soccer and football practices have begun on schedule.

According to Quaboag Principal Greg Myers, the school has taken an informational approach. “We have made all of the coaches and the Athletic Director aware. All outdoor playing fields are near water (where mosquitoes breed).” To cope with the threat, players were informed to wear long sleeves in cool weather and bring bug spray from home in warmer weather.

In an effort to inform parents Superintendent Brett Kustigian sent out a One Call message and placed information on the school district’s website.

“We are not providing bug spray,” added Myers. “We debated that back and forth, but we decided to take a parents know best approach. We wanted to be careful to make sure there were no allergies and things like that.”

Last week, as Myers pointed out, was cool, and mosquitos were not as numerous in the evening.

This week, the temperature has gone up and with the mosquito numbers searching for a meal. “It’ll be interesting to see what happened,” Myers said.

The state recommends using a product with DEET or Lemon Eucalyptus oil when venturing outdoors during prime mosquito hours.

According to the CDC the Commonwealth is one of the stares where EEE is most prevalent. Since 1964, Massachusetts’ 35 human EEE diagnoses are second only to Florida’s 66.

The virus tends to incubate for four to 10 days. Infection can cause chills and fever and be fully recoverable in a week, or it can cause degenerative long term conditions including death.

The CDC says those most in danger are older than 50 and younger than 15.

There is no treatment of vaccine for humans.