State health officials are urging residents in several northern Vermont towns to avoid spending time outdoors during certain periods due to an increased risk of a potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease. Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester and Swanton are the areas identified as having the highest risk of mosquitoes carrying the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, or EEEV, after extensive testing this season. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the Department of Health issued a joint statement Wednesday recommending that residents in those areas limit time spent outdoors between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to reduce exposure to mosquitoes. That’s the time of day when mosquitoes are most active, experts say. The recommendation will be in effect until the first hard frost that kills mosquitoes, experts say. Vermont has seen a higher number of mosquitoes testing positive for EEEV this year than in previous years, according to the Department of Health. So far, only one person in Vermont, a Chittenden County resident, has been infected with EEE this summer. That person was treated and released in July. EEEV has also been detected in neighboring states, including a person in Massachusetts who was infected and another person in New Hampshire who later died from the virus. This season, 47 mosquito clusters have already tested positive for EEEV in 11 towns, compared to 14 clusters in three towns that tested positive in 2023. “The data from Vermont and the current virus activity around New England show that we must take the threat of EEE very seriously,” Health Commissioner Mark Levine said in a prepared statement. “If you live in a high-risk town, avoid spending time outdoors in the evening when mosquitoes are most active to protect yourself from this potentially serious illness.” The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has increased its mosquito collection efforts. Additional testing could increase the number of high-risk towns in the coming days and weeks, officials said. Moderate-risk towns include Milton, Vergennes, Sudbury and Whiting. Low-risk towns include Cornwall, Grand Isle, Highgate and Fairfield. EEE is a rare but serious illness caused by a virus transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE can lead to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and can be fatal in about one-third of people who develop severe EEE illness. Most people infected with EEEV do not develop symptoms, but those who do develop symptoms may experience a flu-like illness with fever, chills, body aches and joint pain. You can limit your exposure to mosquito bites by doing the following:Use an insect repellent approved by the Environmental Protection AgencyWear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoorsSeal holes in window screens to prevent insects from entering your homeMore resources can be found here.
State health officials are urging residents of several northern Vermont towns to avoid spending time outdoors during certain periods due to an increased risk of a potentially deadly mosquito-borne illness.
Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester and Swanton are the areas identified as having the highest risk of mosquitoes carrying the eastern equine encephalitis virus, or EEEV, after extensive testing this season.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the Department of Health issued a joint statement Wednesday recommending that residents in those areas limit time spent outdoors between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to reduce exposure to mosquitoes. This is the time of day when mosquitoes are most active, experts say.
This recommendation will be in effect until the first frosts that kill mosquitoes, according to experts.
According to the health department, the number of mosquitoes testing positive for EEEV has increased this year in Vermont compared to previous years. So far, only one person in Vermont, a Chittenden County resident, has been infected with EEE this summer. That person was treated and released in July.
EEEV has also been detected in neighboring states, including in a person in Massachusetts who was infected and another person in New Hampshire who later died from the virus.
This season, 47 mosquito clusters have already tested positive for EEEV in 11 cities, compared to 14 clusters in three cities that tested positive in 2023.
“The data from Vermont and current virus activity around New England show that we must take the threat of EEE very seriously,” Health Commissioner Mark Levine said in a prepared statement. “If you live in a high-risk community, avoid spending time outdoors in the evening when mosquitoes are most active to protect yourself from this potentially serious disease.”
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has stepped up its mosquito collection efforts. Additional testing could increase the number of high-risk towns in the coming days and weeks, officials said.
Moderate risk towns are Milton, Vergennes, Sudbury and Whiting. Low risk towns are Cornwall, Grand Isle, Highgate and Fairfield.
EEE is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE can lead to encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and can be fatal in about one-third of people who develop severe EEE.
Most people infected with EEEV do not develop symptoms, but those who do may experience a flu-like illness with fever, chills, body aches and joint pain.
You can limit your exposure to mosquito bites by doing the following:
Other resources can be found here.
