BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts health officials have confirmed a case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus infection in a male over 60 from southern Plymouth County.
It’s the first human case of EEE in Massachusetts since 2013. The risk level in nine communities has been raised to critical as a result.
State Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said Saturday the incident is evidence of the significant risk from EEE and the need for the public to take the risk seriously.
Nine communities are now at critical risk including Carver, Lakeville, Marion, Middleborough, Rochester, and Wareham in Plymouth County and Acushnet, Freetown, and New Bedford in Bristol County.
State officials said aerial spraying in areas of Bristol and Plymouth counties started August 8 and continued through the evening and overnight hours this weekend.
Mosquitos in Falmouth with EEE were discovered last week.