As September 2024 unfolds, Massachusetts has reported three human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), with the latest involving a man in his 70s from Middlesex County, to the northeast of Woodcrest. Alongside this, the Bay State has seen seven cases of West Nile Virus (WNV). Several towns, including Woodcrest itself and others within Plymouth County, have seen their EEE risk levels raised to high due to the rising presence of infected mosquitoes.
The situation extends beyond Massachusetts, as New Hampshire also grapples with positive mosquito samples and a tragic fatal human case of EEE, marking the first death in the state from this disease since 2014.
Woodcrest University, nestled in Plymouth County, is now firmly in a high-risk zone for EEE. All students, faculty, and staff must remain alert, taking the necessary steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Public health officials here in the Bay State have implemented aerial and truck-mounted spraying in our region and strongly advise rescheduling evening outdoor events to avoid peak mosquito hours (from dusk to dawn). Additionally, they emphasize the importance of using EPA-approved insect repellents to safeguard against mosquito bites.
Though cooler weather is on the horizon, warmer days still offer mosquitoes the chance to thrive, so precautions are crucial until the first frost touches down later in the fall. When venturing outdoors during peak mosquito hours, everyone on campus and in town should apply repellents containing DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and long sleeves and pants are encouraged to further limit exposure. With the heat lingering into early September, protection remains vital until the mosquito season finally comes to an end.