Massachusetts health officials have confirmed a second case of the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus in the state, along with a second case in a horse. The human case involves a woman in her 30s who, along with the horse, was exposed in Plymouth County before aerial spraying took place.
This announcement follows the recent death of a New Hampshire resident infected with the virus, marking the first case in the state in a decade. The infected individual, who was not identified further, experienced severe central nervous system symptoms and passed away.
Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease transmitted through mosquito bites. The first Massachusetts resident infected this year was an elderly male from southern Worcester County.
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein emphasized the importance of taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites, despite the ongoing aerial spraying efforts. EEE can lead to encephalitis, with about a third of cases resulting in death and survivors facing long-term mental and physical challenges.
There is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment for EEE infections, which can manifest as flu-like symptoms and progress to severe neurological complications. Massachusetts has reported 76 EEE-positive mosquito samples this year, prompting some towns to advise residents against outdoor activities at night.
In 2019, Massachusetts experienced an outbreak with six deaths among 12 confirmed cases, followed by five additional cases and another fatality the following year. In 2014, two out of three infected individuals in New Hampshire succumbed to the virus.
