New cases of West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis have been detected in Massachusetts, officials said Thursday.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a release Thursday that another person has been diagnosed with EEE, and one more person has been diagnosed with West Nile virus in the state.
The two new cases are in men in their 70s. The person with EEE was exposed in central Middlesex County, and the person with West Nile virus was exposed in southern Middlesex County, officials said.
This is the third human case of EEE in Massachusetts this year, and the seventh human case of West Nile virus.
Here's which areas are at high risk.
EEE high risk areas in MA
Following Thursday's announcement of an additional EEE case in Massachusetts, officials increased the risk level for the virus in several areas across the state. See the full list :
Critical risk areas for EEE
Worcester County
- Douglas
- Oxford
- Sutton
- Webster
High risk areas for EEE
Middlesex County
- Acton
- Ayer
- Boxborough
- Carlisle
- Littleton
Plymouth County
- Carver
- Middleboro
- Plymouth
Worcester County
- Dudley
- Harvard
- Northbridge
- Uxbridge
West Nile virus high risk areas in MA
West Nile virus risk maps were also updated following Thursday's announcement. See the full list :
High risk areas for West Nile virus
Essex County
Middlesex County
- Arlington
- Belmont
- Cambridge
- Everett
- Malden
- Medford
- Melrose
- Newton
- Somerville
- Stoneham
- Wakefield
- Watertown
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
- Abington
- Brockton
- East Bridgewater
- Marion
- Mattapoisett
- Rochester
- Whitman
Suffolk County
- Boston
- Chelsea
- Revere
- Winthrop
What is EEE?
EEE is a rare but serious mosquito-borne illness spread to humans who have been bit by an infected mosquito.
The virus is not contagious between people because humans are dead-end hosts, meaning they don't spread the virus to mosquitoes that bite them, according to the CDC .
Symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness. About 30% of EEE infections are deadly, according to the CDC .
What is West Nile virus?
West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne illness spread to humans who have been bit by an infected mosquito. According to the CDC , it is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the United States.
Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. About 1 out of every 150 infected people can develop a serious illness, according to the CDC .
The virus is not contagious between people because humans are dead-end hosts, meaning they don't spread the virus to mosquitoes that bite them. There is a median of about 2,200 West Nile virus cases in the U.S. every year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
How to stay safe from EEE and West Nile virus
Taking precautions against mosquito bites is the best way to protect against the West Nile virus and EEE, according to officials.
Officials recommend using mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient while outdoors, wearing clothing that reduces exposed skin and avoiding evening outdoor activities, because mosquitoes are most active from dusk to dawn.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: New cases of West Nile virus and EEE in MA. Here's which areas are at high risk
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