Four towns in Massachusetts—Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster—are asking residents to stay indoors during the evening to help prevent the spread of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a serious mosquito-borne illness.
This request follows the confirmation of the first human case of EEE in Worcester County since 2020. The affected person lives in Oxford and is currently in the hospital.
The towns have advised residents to stay inside after 6:00 p.m., starting immediately and lasting until September 30. From October 1 until the first frost, the recommended indoor time will be after 5:00 p.m. These hours are considered the peak times for mosquito activity.
The Oxford Board of Health is urging residents to follow these recommendations to protect themselves from EEE. The recommendations are not mandatory, so there will be no enforcement if people do not comply. However, if someone wants to use town fields outside these hours, they must show proof of insurance and sign an indemnification form.
The other three towns, Sutton, Douglas, and Webster, are following the same advice. Schools are adjusting sports schedules to avoid practices and games during the evening hours.
What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis?
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. It is considered a “dead-end” disease, meaning humans cannot spread it to other mosquitoes.
Symptoms of EEE include fever, headache, and seizures, and can appear 5 to 10 days after being bitten. The disease can be fatal, with a high risk of death or serious long-term health issues. Older people and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk.
There is no vaccine for EEE, so prevention focuses on avoiding mosquito bites. This includes using mosquito repellent, eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, and spraying to kill mosquitoes.
Dr. Edward Liu and Dr. John Ayers emphasize that while EEE is serious, cases are extremely rare. They suggest that preventing mosquito bites and reducing mosquito populations are the best ways to protect against the disease.
