United States: A previously unreported mosquito-borne disease known as eastern equine encephalitis has turned up in Massachusetts this year, and state health officials announced on Wednesday.
The Department of Public Health said the virus was found in a mosquito sample, taken July 21 in Belchertown.
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Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement that the positive test should remind inhabitants of the need to take precautions to prevent the bites of mosquitoes this season.
According to Goldstein, “This is around the time we would expect to find EEE in mosquitoes in Massachusetts, especially after an active EEE season last year with four recorded human cases,” boston.com reported.
“This is only a first finding, and mosquito surveillance will be key to tracking any developing areas of increasing risk,” he added.
EEE is a non-curable, serious, but potentially fatal infection that is rare. The direct transmitters are through the bite of an infected mosquito.
It can cause the brain to swell, raise a fever, and induce a coma, and about one-third of those that is exposed to it lose their lives.
Neurological disabilities and complications may be experienced by the survivors. Last year, there were four human infections of EEE in Massachusetts, and one person died.
Mosquito and tick bites can cause serious illnesses like EEE and Lyme disease. When outdoors, use EPA-approved repellent, applied slowly and evenly to the face, neck, arms & legs. When possible, wear full-length protective clothing. More info: https://t.co/DD6BYzz38A. pic.twitter.com/1trtyU1Qru
— Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) July 25, 2025
Last year, four horses were also infected. The state reveals no cases of human or animal in 2025.
“EEE activity in Massachusetts tends to occur in outbreak cycles,” as per State epidemiologist Catherine Brown.
“When EEE is found in mosquitoes at this point in the season, the risk may increase throughout the rest of the summer,” he noted.
Authorities are telling people to apply precautionary measures, such as applying insect repellent and covering exposed body parts, to avoid bites.
Residents should also be allowed to scrub standing water near residential premises and fix or replace screens in order to minimize the chances of being bitten.
Officials said that mosquitoes bite during the dusk-to-dawn hours.
“Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning in areas of high risk,” as per officials, boston.com
The risk of EEE per area could be checked by residents, whose presence could be identified on the state map, which follows the risk level of mosquito-spread illnesses in the state of Massachusetts.
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