Mosquito sample south of Boston tests positive for EEE. Here's how to stay safe
The mosquito-borne ilness Eastern equine encephalitis, commonly known as EEE , was found in a mosquito collected in the town of Bridgewater, Town Manager Justin Casanova-Davis said Wednesday.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) notified town officials about a mosquito sample that was collected on July 22, Casanova-Davis said in a statement . This sample tested positive for EEE.
“At this time, there have been no reported human or animal cases of EEE in Bridgewater or Massachusetts this year,” the statement read. “DPH currently has Bridgewater and most of southeastern Massachusetts at a low risk for EEE and West Nile virus.”
The day before this sample was collected, on July 21, DPH officials first found a positive sample of EEE in a mosquito sample collected from Belchertown.
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.
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.
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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