Here's where EEE has been found in a mosquito sample in Massachusetts
A mosquito sample in Belchertown has been found to be carrying Eastern equine encephalitis, also known as EEE , marking it as the first detection of 2025, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) said Wednesday.
DPH officials first found the positive sample on July 21, the department said in a statement.
So far, no animals or humans have been diagnosed with EEE this year, DPH said. The rare but serious and potentially fatal disease typically spreads through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
"This is only a first finding and mosquito surveillance will be key to tracking any developing areas of increasing risk," Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in the statement. "Today's finding is an important reminder for residents to take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites."
Last year, four people in Massachusetts were infected with EEE , with one death reported, DPH stated. Four horses were also infected with EEE in 2024.
"EEE activity in Massachusetts tends to occur in outbreak cycles," State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown said in the statement. "When EEE is found in mosquitoes at this point in the season, the risk may increase throughout the rest of the summer. We rely on our mosquito surveillance program to monitor for the presence of virus to let people know when and where the risk is occurring."
How to avoid mosquito bites
The department suggests that people use insect repellent when outside. The repellent should be made with an EPA-registered ingredient such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or oil from lemon eucalyptus.
DEET products should not be used on babies younger than two months old and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older kids. Oil of lemon eucalyptus shouldn't be used on kids under three.
The department also suggested that people reschedule any outdoor activities during peak mosquito-biting times — dusk to dawn.
People should also wear long-sleeved clothes to prevent mosquito bites. They should also remove standing water from their homes and install window screens to keep mosquitos out of their homes.
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