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August 7, 2007

EEE found for 2nd time this year in Massachusetts

SEEKONK – The Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected for the second time this year in mosquitoes in Massachusetts.

The state Department of Health announced today that the rare but serious illness has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Seekonk.

The first mosquito pool that tested positive for EEE in Massachusetts this year was detected early last month in the town of Raynham in Bristol County.

The EEE virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Although it can infect people of all ages, children under age 15 and adults over age 50 are at the greatest risk for serious illness.

For more information about the virus, check out the state Department of Public Health’s web site.

-- projo.com staff writer Kate Bramson, with reports from Journal staff writer Meaghan Wims

EEE virus activity has been “very intense” since 2004, according to the state health department. In 2006, five human cases of EEE in Massachusetts resulted in two fatalities.

Last month, Massachusetts detected West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne illness, in a mosquito and in a bird for the first time this year in Berkeley and Marlboro, Mass., respectively. There were three cases of that virus in 2006, with no fatalities.

Last year, Rhode Island reported that three mosquito pools in Westerly tested positive for EEE. Statewide, 10 mosquito pools also tested positive for West Nile virus.

No cases of human infection were reported in the state.

Posted by Kate Bramson at 4:58 PM | Permalink

August 7, 2007

EEE found for 2nd time this year in Massachusetts

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