Mosquitoes cling to the inside of a jar loaded with repellent during a test as part of a tour of the Center for Disease Control lab, Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo.
David Zalubowski/AP
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David Zalubowski/AP
A Massachusetts town has ordered its parks closed from dusk to dawn due to a high risk of spreading a deadly mosquito-borne disease.
The city of Plymouth, Massachusetts, implemented the protocol Friday after a local horse tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Sports teams and other organizations will not be allowed to gather in parks after dark, the city said.
Infected mosquitoes are typically found in the Eastern or Gulf Coast states. The disease is spread by infected mosquitoes and is rare, but its mortality rate is about 30%. There is no treatment or vaccine for EEE, according to the CDC.
Survivors may suffer chronic neurological problems. Some symptoms include “fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness,” according to the CDC.
“With the Massachusetts DPH now raising Plymouth’s EEE risk status to high, it is important to take extra precautions outdoors and follow state and local health guidelines to avoid any unnecessary risk of EEE exposure,” said Michelle Bratti, Plymouth Commissioner of Health and Human Services. “The health and safety of our community, residents and visitors remains our priority.”
According to the Massachusetts Department of Health, most deaths occur within two to 10 days of symptom onset.
The city will spray parks, neighborhoods and schools in the area between 2 a.m. and sunrise.
EEE-infected mosquitoes have also been detected in Plymouth, Barnstable and Essex counties in Massachusetts.
Residents can minimize their risk of EEE exposure by wearing long-sleeved clothing, draining standing water, installing or repairing screens and rescheduling outdoor activities that occur between dusk and dawn, Plymouth officials said. The city also advised people to wear insect repellent that contains certified ingredients, including DEET, permethrin, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
