Vermont health officials urge residents in at-risk areas for EEE to stay indoors from dusk until dawn

Vermont health officials are recommending that people in towns at high risk for eastern equine encephalitis stay indoors from dusk until dawn and take extra precautions to avoid contact with potentially infected mosquitos.

The virus, which can cause life-threatening illness in humans, has been detected in mosquitos in 11 towns across Vermont this year, according to a Wednesday press release from the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets.

The virus is most prevalent in the mosquito populations of Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester and Swanton, each of which the Department of Health has designated as “high risk.” Officials are strongly recommending that people in those areas stay indoors from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., an advisory that officials expect to remain in place “until the first hard frost that kills mosquitoes,” according to the release.

Although EEE is rare in humans and most people who contract the virus have mild or nonexistent symptoms, it can be fatal in about one-third of those who develop severe EEE disease, according to the release.

Vermont has already seen one active case of EEE this year after a man in Chittenden County tested positive for the virus earlier this month. At least two people in other New England states have contracted the virus, as well — one person in Massachusetts and another in New Hampshire, who died this week .

“Vermont data, and current virus activity around New England, shows we need to take the threat of EEE very seriously,” Health Commissioner Mark Levine said in the release. “If you live in a town at high risk, please avoid spending time outside in the evenings when mosquitoes are most active to protect yourself from this potentially severe illness.”

In addition to those towns identified as “high risk,” the Department of Health has also designated several “moderate risk” towns, including Milton, Vergennes, Sudbury and Whiting. Towns identified as “low risk,” meanwhile, include Cornwall, Grand Isle, Highgate and Fairfield.

Officials are urging all Vermonters — whether they live in an at-risk area or not — to take extra care to avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellant, repairing damaged window screens and wearing long sleeves, among other precautions.

According to the release, officials are currently considering whether to spray pesticides in areas in which infected mosquitos have been detected to help limit the spread.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont health officials urge residents in at-risk areas for EEE to stay indoors from dusk until dawn .