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EEE virus warning expands in SE Mass.

E-mail | Print | Comments () Posted by Gideon Gil July 27, 2010 04:18 PM

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By Stephen Smith, Globe Staff

A widening swath of Southeastern Massachusetts is considered at high risk for eastern equine encephalitis, an especially lethal viral disease spread by mosquitoes, state health authorities said today.

A warning that originally included only Lakeville and Middleborough was expanded by the Department of Public Health to include 15 additional cities and towns: Acushnet, Berkley, Bridgewater, Carver, Duxbury, Fairhaven, Freetown, Halifax, Kingston, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Plympton, Raynham, Rochester, and Taunton. Surrounding towns are believed to be at moderate risk.

The intensified warning was prompted by testing that found mosquitoes infected with eastern equine encephalitis as far south as Fairhaven, near New Bedford, and as far north as Duxbury. So far, 10 collections of mosquitoes have tested positive for the disease, and a horse has succumbed to the illness. No human cases have been reported.

Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state's top disease tracker, said in an interview that the discovery of so many infected mosquitoes so early -- they typically show up in August -- sounded an alarm among epidemiologists. Further fueling their concerns: While much of the state is bone dry, Southeastern Massachusetts in recent weeks has been walloped by rainstorms.

A similar pattern was evident in 1983, DeMaria said, when five people were diagnosed with the disease in the first three weeks of August.

"After sort of doing that comparison, it made us that much more concerned that we really need to get people's attention to this," DeMaria said. "Now with the storms that went through that part of the state the past couple of weeks, it's really recharged the water level, and we think it will bring out a lot of mammal-biting mosquitoes. Things seem to be coming together in a way that definitely makes us concerned about risk."

No human cases of the disease have been diagnosed in the state since 2008. From 2004 through 2006, there were 13 cases, resulting in six deaths.

Southeastern Massachusetts counties, including Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth, have been identified in recent years as hotbeds of eastern equine encephalitis because of swampy terrain favored by mosquitoes.

To avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, specialists recommend staying inside from dusk to dawn, peak mosquito-biting time. If outdoor activity is necessary at night, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks. Bug repellants such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin, and oil of lemon eucalyptus can also provide protection. DEET should not be used on infants younger than 2 months and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be on children younger than 3 years.

Homeowners can take measures that reduce mosquitoes' breeding grounds, including draining flower pots, wading pools, and gutters.

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White Coat Notes covers the latest from the health care industry, hospitals, doctors offices, labs, insurers, and the corridors of government. Chelsea Conaboy previously covered health care for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Write her at cconaboy@boston.com. Follow her on Twitter: @cconaboy.

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