YARMOUTH – A sample of mosquitos in Yarmouth has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Treatment, testing and monitoring has started in the town by the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project.
As part of the prevention, members of the project are checking catch basins and visiting residents to hand out information and check for potential problems.
It’s the first sample of mosquitos that have ever tested positive for EEE.
Gabrielle Sakolsky, an entomologist with the Project said that the symptoms for EEE are more severe than West Nile.
“You see it much less getting into the human population which is good, because the rate of fatalities with people who get EEE can be 40 or 50 percent, the disease always causes severe symptoms,” said Sakolsky.
Those at greater risk of the potentially fatal virus are those over the age of 50 and under the age of 15.
Man-made containers, wading pools and any areas that collect water are the locations where the species of mosquitos that tested positive lay their eggs.
“Anything that might collect water, even gutters if they’re clogged with leaves or anything should be checked to make sure there’s no standing water, though it’s important for everyone to take a survey of their property,” said Yarmouth Health Director Bruce Murphy.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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