By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that laboratory testing has confirmed the season’s fourth human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection. The individual is a female in her 60s who was exposed to EEE in Plymouth County.

Mosquito populations are declining and most EEE transmission to people occurs before mid-September. However, some risk from EEE will continue until there has been a hard frost.

All residents are reminded to use mosquito repellent any time they are outside, and those in high and critical risk communities are advised to schedule their outdoor activity to avoid the dusk to dawn hours to reduce exposure to the mosquitoes most likely to spread EEE.

EEE is a rare but potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. There have been three other human cases identified this year. In 2019, there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts with 6 deaths.