{"id":2036,"date":"2021-07-02T15:39:40","date_gmt":"2021-07-02T19:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/health\/?p=2036"},"modified":"2021-07-02T15:39:40","modified_gmt":"2021-07-02T19:39:40","slug":"eee-information-management-and-updates","status":"public-archive","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sudbury.ma.us\/health\/2021\/07\/02\/eee-information-management-and-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"EEE Information, Management and Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is EEE and how, where and when does EEE spread?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus.  The first symptoms of EEE are fever (often 103\u00ba to 106\u00baF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito.  Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous and frequent serious complication. [1]<\/a> Approximately one third of people who contract EEE die, and survivors often experience mild to severe disability from brain damage.<\/p>\n

The virus that causes EEE is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. In Massachusetts, the virus is most often identified in mosquitoes found in and around freshwater, hardwood swamps.<\/p>\n

Outbreaks of EEE usually occur in Massachusetts every 10-20 years. These outbreaks will typically last two to three years[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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What is being done in Sudbury to minimize risk of exposure to EEE?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Sudbury BOH has implemented the following in response to EEE being identified in the community in 2019:<\/p>\n

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  1. Increased surveillance and trapping locations, testing for mosquito type and quantity in cedar swamps where there is highest opportunity for breeding.<\/li>\n
  2. Increased mosquito testing, which includes testing higher quantity of mosquitos more frequently.<\/li>\n
  3. Decreased turn-around time for results of mosquito testing, from about a week to 1-2 days.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Mosquito Spraying:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    East Middlesex Mosquito Control and Suffolk County Mosquito Control began aerial larvicide spraying in the spring.  Response plans are formulated using a science-driven process based on surveillance and specifies precise locations and times for spraying. If and when there is a need for adulticide spraying, there will be a public notice and info on precautions.  <\/p>\n