Lethal Mosquito Virus Pushes Massachusetts Residents Indoors After Dark

Residents across Massachusetts are being urged to stay inside at night after a deadly mosquito-transmitted illness appeared in the state.

Earlier this month, Massachusetts health officials confirmed that a man in his 80s living in Worcester County, west of Boston, had contracted the first human case of eastern equine encephalitis virus in the state this year.

“We have not seen an outbreak of EEE for four years in Massachusetts,” Robbie Goldstein, the state’s department of public health commissioner, said in a statement published by the Washington Post . “We need to use all our available tools to reduce risk and protect our communities. We are asking everyone to do their part.”

Heightening fears the virus may be spreading across New England, on Tuesday, health officials in New Hampshire reported a man in the state who tested positive for mosquito-borne illness had died. The last case reported in New Hampshire was in 2014.

The infection, also known as sleeping sickness, stems from the bites of infected mosquitoes and can carry serious risks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While rare, the virus is fatal in about 30% of cases.

Cases of the sometimes fatal eastern equine encephalitis virus have been found in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, prompting health officials to urge residents to take serious precautions.

Though many infections are asymptomatic, those hit with serious cases of the virus can experience fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness.

The National Institute of Health reports that survivors often suffer ongoing neurological problems, which can include seizures, slowed speech and trouble moving.

The CDC says there are no vaccines or specific treatments for the infections, making avoiding mosquitos even more critical.

On Saturday, Massachusetts health officials said 10 communities are currently deemed to be at high or critical risk for the virus.

Across those communities, towns have moved to close parks after dusk, restrict outdoor activities and reschedule public events.

Officials are asking residents to take precautions such as using mosquito repellents, draining any standing water around their homes, wearing clothing that covers the skin and avoiding the outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes most commonly occur.

The outbreak comes as Americans are starting to experience extended mosquito seasons, prompted by rising temperatures from climate change.