The Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus was detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts this week — the first time this year, state public health officials announced Wednesday.
The mosquito sample that tested positive for the virus was collected in Kingston on Monday, officials said. As a result, the EEE risk level for Kingston, as well as the surrounding towns of Carver, Halifax and Plympton, has been raised to moderate.
The EEE risk level in all other Massachusetts towns and cities remains low. No human or animal EEE cases have been detected so far this year, officials said.
EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages, officials said. EEE is typically spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
“Today’s finding alerts us to the presence of EEE in Massachusetts this year,” Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a press release. “While this is late in the season for the first detection of EEE in mosquitoes, when combined with all the evidence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in Massachusetts, we are asking everyone in Massachusetts to take the necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites.”
The worst outbreak of EEE in Massachusetts in recent years happened in 2019, when 12 people became ill and half of them died, officials said. The last EEE outbreak in the state occurred in 2024, when four people became sick and one person died.
“EEE activity in Massachusetts tends to occur in outbreak cycles,” State Epidemiologist Catherine Brown said in the release. “When EEE is found in mosquitoes later in the season like this, there is less opportunity for the risk to increase to very high levels. But anytime EEE virus is in mosquitoes, it can be spread to people.”
Tips for avoiding mosquito-borne viruses:
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When outdoors, use bug spray with an EPA-registered ingredient such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil as directed by the manufacturer
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Avoid being outside from dusk until dawn, which are peak mosquito activity hours
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Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and socks when outdoors to prevent mosquito bites
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Drain standing water around homes to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs nearby
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Install and repair door and window screens to keep mosquitoes from entering homes
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