Latest news with #EasternEquineEncephalitis
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
EEE virus detected in Massachusetts mosquitoes for first time in 2025
The Eastern equine encephalitis virus, commonly known as EEE, has been identified in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time in 2025. The Department of Public Health says EEE was confirmed in a mosquito sample collected on July 21 in Belchertown in Hampshire County. There have not been any human or animal cases reported yet in the state this year. Last year, the first EEE-positive mosquitoes were identified on July 3 in southeastern Massachusetts. Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said Wednesday that 2024 was an "active EEE season" with four recorded human cases, one of which was fatal. "This is only a first finding and mosquito surveillance will be key to tracking any developing areas of increasing risk," Goldstein said in a statement. "Today's finding is an important reminder for residents to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites." The threat of EEE last year forced schools to move Friday night football games to the afternoon and some towns closed their parks from dusk to dawn. EEE is transferred to humans via mosquito bites. Medical experts say it is an "exceedingly rare virus" that normally spreads in swamps, including red maple and white cedar swamps in Massachusetts. Most people infected with EEE don't develop symptoms. But about 30% people with the disease die because it is not treatable. Public health officials urge Massachusetts residents to wear insect repellent when outside. They suggest staying inside during the peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn. They also recommend wearing long sleeves and pants, and eliminating standing water around your home.
Boston Globe
15-07-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Lunenburg goat is the state's first animal case of West Nile virus this year, state says
The state last week No human cases of West Nile virus have been detected yet this year, health officials said. In 2024, there were 19 confirmed human cases of the mosquito-borne virus reported in the state, and no animal cases. Advertisement 'With this evidence of an animal infected with West Nile virus, we know that there are the right conditions and enough disease circulating to result in a human infection,' Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. 'The elevated temperatures combined with high humidity increase mosquito activity,' Goldstein's statement said. 'We want to remind people that there are easy ways to prevent mosquitoes from biting you, like using mosquito repellent when you are outdoors and being mindful of peak mosquito activity hours.' People of all ages can be infected by the virus, but people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease, health officials said. Most people who are infected will show no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they generally include fever and flu-like illness, the department's statement said. Advertisement 'Animals that live outdoors are at somewhat higher risk from arboviruses than humans who spend more time indoors,' state epidemiologist Catherine M. Brown said in the statement. 'The weather this summer is creating the opportunity for it to be a busy WNV season and it is important to take steps to prevent mosquito bites,' Brown said. People are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites by staying indoors during peak biting times in the early mornings and evenings, or by using insect repellents containing EPA-registered ingredients, or by applying oil of lemon eucalyptus. To protect animals, owners should eliminate standing water from containers, buckets, tires, wading pools, and water troughs. 'Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas,' health officials said. Horse owners are advised to keep their animals in indoor stalls at night to reduce risk of exposure, and to check with their veterinarians about mosquito repellents approved for animal use. Eastern Equine Encephalitis, another mosquito-borne illness, has not yet been detected this season, according to the Department of Public Health. Last year, there were four human and three animal cases confirmed in the state. If an animal is suspected of infection, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health at 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800. More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800. Advertisement Tonya Alanez can be reached at
Boston Globe
12-07-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Two mosquito samples in Boston test positive for West Nile Virus
Last month, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that the virus was detected in the state for the first time this year in a sample collected in June in Shrewsbury. Since then, there have been nine more positive samples across the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's There are no confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus in Boston so far this summer, the commission said. In 2024, there were 19 human cases of the virus in the state, according to the Massachusetts DPH dashboard. Advertisement Most people who are infected with the virus do not experience signs or symptoms, but some may develop headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and body aches lasting for a few days to several weeks. Those older than 50 are at higher risk of experiencing serious symptoms. To reduce the risk of West Nile Virus, the Boston Public Health Commission said people should avoid mosquito bites. The commission recommended regularly emptying out and cleaning vessels containing standing water, like bird baths, kiddie pools and flowerpots, which attract mosquitoes for breeding. Advertisement Residents can also wear long clothing and high socks, and insect repellents, like DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535, and picaridin. Residents should also avoid spending too much time outside from dusk to dawn, when there is prime mosquito activity, and to make sure windows and doors do not have holes. More information, including all West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (another mosquito-transmitted disease) positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information webpage at Jessica Ma can be reached at
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
West Nile Virus detected in New Orleans mosquitoes, city expands control measures
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The city of New Orleans has detected West Nile virus in mosquito populations across multiple neighborhoods, prompting an increase in spraying and public health outreach as mosquito season hits its peak. No human cases have been reported so far, but officials say the presence of the virus in local mosquito traps is a clear warning sign. 'We are collecting mosquitoes every Monday and Tuesday,' said Claudia Riegel, Director of the City's Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board. 'We're monitoring which species are present and whether they're carrying any viruses that could impact our residents or even their pets.' City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish School Board back in court involving $90M negotiation In response, mosquito control crews are actively treating neighborhoods by both truck and helicopter, using a combination of larvicide and adulticide to disrupt breeding and reduce adult mosquito populations. The city currently maintains 89 trap locations, where mosquito samples are tested weekly for West Nile, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and St. Louis Encephalitis. Officials stress that even small amounts of standing water, inside trash bins, tires, clogged gutters or yard debris can serve as mosquito breeding grounds. 'We want to make sure that when people put debris out, they bag it tightly so no water collects inside,' said Matt Torri with the city's Department of Sanitation. Health officials also caution that while most people infected with West Nile won't experience symptoms, a small percentage can become seriously ill. 'Roughly four out of five people will have no symptoms at all,' said Meredith McInturff with the New Orleans Health Department. 'But for the unlucky one in five, symptoms can include fever, fatigue and respiratory issues that last for several days or even weeks.' The city recommends using EPA and CDC approved mosquito repellents, emptying containers that hold water and keeping yards clear of debris. Residents can report mosquito problems or request tire pickup and additional trash bins by calling mother suspects foul play in daughter's Riverwalk death West Nile Virus detected in New Orleans mosquitoes, city expands control measures Two killed in Jefferson Parish car crash Hardline House conservatives swing for fences in asks to Senate GOP on megabill Start times for Men's College World Series revealed Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Conneaut health department studying mosquitos
CONNEAUT — The Conneaut Health Department will start studying the city's mosquito population next week. Conneaut Health Commissioner Nichele Blood said the health department wants to catch mosquitos around the city. 'We set a trap up and it will catch mosquitos for us,' she said. The mosquitos will then be taken to the health department office and frozen for a day, before being sent to an Ohio Department of Health lab for study. Blood said they are primarily interested in learning what species of mosquitos reside in the Conneaut area, and if they carry West Nile Virus. Blood said there have not been any recorded cases of the disease in northeast Ohio recently. According to the ODH website, there have been no cases of the disease in people or mosquitos surveilled across the state so far this year. Blood said the Conneaut Health Department is also monitoring for other mosquito-borne illnesses, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis, St. Louis Encephalitis, La Crosse virus, malaria, zika and yellow fever. 'Most are not common,' she said. The program is being paid for by part of a $8,150 grant the health department received from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The CHD used $5,600 to fund a tire collection at the Conneaut Spring Clean-Up last weekend. Blood said the rest of the grant money is going toward funding the mosquito surveillance and promoting mosquito awareness in Conneaut. Blood said mosquitos thrive in areas where there is standing water, especially unused tires. Blood recommended people take care of items that contain standing water on their properties, including tires, bird baths and toys left outside. People should also make sure to fix screen doors so mosquitos do not get indoors, and make sure to wear mosquito repellent. The CHD will be providing mosquito spray to the public and sending out flyers spreading awareness, Blood said.
