According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus was first detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts in 2024. EEE was confirmed in mosquito samples collected June 30 in Carver in Plymouth County, DPH said. There have been no human or animal cases of EEE so far this year. The finding prompted officials to raise the risk level of EEE to moderate in the communities of Carver, Kingston, Middleborough, Plymouth, Plympton and Wareham. “The last EEE outbreak cycle in Massachusetts occurred in 2019-2020, and there have been no human cases of EEE reported in the state since then,” said Dr. Robbie Goldstein, commissioner of public health. EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is typically transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. In 2019, there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts, with six deaths; In 2020, there were five human cases and one death. There have been no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023. On Tuesday, Massachusetts health officials said West Nile virus was detected in a mosquito sample collected in Quincy, the first time the virus has been detected in the state in 2024. Health officials urge residents and visitors to apply insect repellent when outdoors, be aware of peak mosquito hours — dusk to dawn — and wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when outdoors. More information, including all positive results for West Nile virus and EEE, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information webpage at Mosquito-borne Diseases | Mass.gov, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus was first detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts in 2024.
EEE was confirmed in mosquito samples collected June 30 in Carver, Plymouth County, DPH said.
So far this year, no cases of EEE have been identified in humans or animals.
The finding prompted authorities to raise the EEE risk level in the counties of Carver, Kingston, Middleborough, Plymouth, Plympton and Wareham to moderate.
“The last EEE outbreak cycle in Massachusetts occurred in 2019-2020 and there have been no human cases of EEE reported in the state since then,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein.
EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
In 2019, there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts, with six deaths; in 2020, there were five human cases and one death. There have been no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
On Tuesday, Massachusetts health officials reported that West Nile virus had been detected in a mosquito sample collected in Quincy, the first time the virus has been detected in the state in 2024.
Health officials urge residents and visitors to use insect repellent when outdoors, be aware of peak mosquito hours (dusk to sunrise), and wear long sleeves, pants and socks when outdoors.
For more information, including all positive results for West Nile virus and EEE, see the Arbovirus Surveillance Information webpage on Mosquito-borne Diseases | Mass.gov, which is updated daily. You can also call the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800.