Second person diagnosed with EEE in MA. What precautions you should take

A second human case of EEE has been confirmed in Massachusetts, state officials announced Thursday.

A woman in her 30s has been diagnosed with Eastern equine encephalitis , or EEE, after being exposed in Plymouth County, the Department of Public Health announced in a release.

There is also another confirmed case in a horse in Plymouth County, officials said. It is the second confirmed case in a horse this year.

The infections occurred before aerial mosquito spraying took place in Plymouth County earlier this week, officials said.

Here's what to know.

Second confirmed case of EEE in MA: what officials are saying

A woman in her 30s in Plymouth County has been diagnosed with EEE, the Department of Public Health said Thursday.

The case is the second confirmed human EEE infection in the state this year; on Aug. 16, the DPH announced the first confirmed human case in a man in his 80s in Worcester County.

The infection happened before the state conducted aerial mosquito spraying in the area this week, the DPH said. Officials said they hope the spraying will help mitigate risks in the area.

“We expect that the aerial spraying will help prevent risk for EEE from continuing to escalate in the area, but it does not eliminate it completely," said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein. "We are asking people to be consistent about taking steps to prevent mosquito bites.”

Additionally, officials are issuing a reminder that mosquito season is ongoing despite summer coming to a close.

“EEE risk does not end on Labor Day,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. “People should continue to use a mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient any time they are outdoors.”

MA areas at critical and high risk for EEE

Parts of Worcester County and Plymouth County are at critical and high risk for EEE. Here's the full list :

EEE critical risk areas

Worcester County

• Douglas
• Oxford
• Sutton
• Webster

EEE high risk areas

Worcester County

• Dudley
• Northbridge
• Uxbridge

Plymouth County

• Carver
• Middleboro
• Plymouth

How to stay safe from EEE

Protecting against mosquito bites is the best way to stay safe from EEE, according to the DPH.

People should use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient when outdoors, per officials. It is also helpful to wear clothing that reduces exposed skin and avoiding evening outdoor activities.

What is EEE?

Triple E or EEE is a rare but serious mosquito-borne illness. People get infected with the virus when they are bitten by a mosquito carrying it.

EEE 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 .

About 30% of EEE infections are deadly, according to the CDC . The symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes and drowsiness, according to the CDC.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Second person diagnosed with EEE in MA. What precautions you should take