Thursday, 4:30 PM
Mosquitoes found carrying eastern equine encephalitis
By Stephen Smith, Globe Staff
For the first time this summer, mosquitoes carrying eastern equine encephalitis have been detected in Massachusetts, health authorities reported this morning.
Mosquitoes collected Monday in the town of Carver tested positive for the virus that causes the illness, which can be highly lethal to humans. The species found in the town, though, prefers to bite birds rather than humans or horses.
Last year, four people in the state were stricken with eastern equine encephalitis and two died.
To reduce the risk of being exposed to infected mosquitoes, the state Department of Public Health recommends draining standing water where bugs breed, wearing insect repellant, and avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
