By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that laboratory testing has confirmed the 8th horse infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus this year.
The horse was stabled in the town of Spencer in Worcester County, a community already considered at high risk for EEE.
“We continue to emphasize the need for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “Although mosquito populations are beginning to decline, risk from EEE will continue until the first hard frost.”
There have been 12 human cases of EEE this season in Massachusetts and nine confirmed cases of EEE this year in animals – eight horses and a goat.
State officials continue to remind residents throughout the Commonwealth to take personal precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
