BOURNE – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Thursday that Easter Equine Encephalitis virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Bourne.
EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.
The first EEE human case in the state since 2013 was identified in southern Plymouth County last week.
Mosquitos in Falmouth with EEE were discovered earlier this month.
Health officials are urging the public to take proper safety measures.
Residents should wear long sleeves and pants whenever possible, and apply insect repellent.
Drain any standing water in and around homes, and install screens in doors and windows. Also, be aware of peak mosquito times, which are in between dusk and dawn.
For more information and to learn other ways to prevent contracting EEE, visit www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases.
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