MA: 2024 EEE cases

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Source: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local...-2020/3462300/

Mass. officials say man in his 80s contracted EEE in state's 1st human case since 2020
The first human case of mosquito-borne Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, in four years has raised the risk level in Massachusetts communities
By Mike Pescaro • Published 1 hour ago • Updated 53 mins ago

Massachusetts has identified its first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, since 2020.

The patient, a man in his 80s, was exposed to the mosquito-borne illness in Worcester County, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said Friday.

Health officials in Massachusetts have been urging caution around mosquitoes after EEE and West Nile virus were detected in the insects earlier this summer. The DPH said on Aug. 6 that the first animal case of EEE and the first human case of West Nile in 2024 had been identified...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.boston.com/news/health/2...ee-since-2020/

Mass. health officials confirm second human case of EEE since 2020
A woman in her 30s was exposed to the mosquito-borne virus in Plymouth County, state health officials said Thursday.
By Abby Patkin
August 29, 2024 | 3:47 PM

State health officials have confirmed a second human case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), announcing Thursday that a woman in her 30s was exposed to the mosquito-borne virus in Plymouth County.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a news release that both the woman and a horse were exposed to EEE in an area of Plymouth County that was aerial sprayed Tuesday night, though both became infected before the area was sprayed. Thursday’s announcement also marks the state’s second confirmed case of EEE in a horse this year...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local...-case/3479867/

Mass. reports 3rd human case of EEE this year
No EEE-related deaths have been announced in Massachusetts this year, but one has been reported in New Hampshire
By Asher Klein • Published 1 hour ago • Updated 1 hour ago

A third person in Massachusetts has contracted the rare and potentially deadly mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis this summer, health officials said Thursday.

The newly confirmed case is a man in his 70s who was exposed in central Middlesex County, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. They also said a seventh person has contracted West Nile virus this summer, another mosquito-borne virus...

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Source: https://www.wcvb.com/article/eee-cas...-2024/62121473

Fourth case of dangerous Eastern equine encephalitis confirmed in Middlesex County, Massachusetts
WCVB logo Updated: 4:20 PM EDT Sep 9, 2024
Phil Tenser
Digital Media Manager

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, Mass. —

Massachusetts health officials reported Monday that a person has contracted the potentially dangerous mosquito-borne illness, Eastern equine encephalitis, for the fourth time this year.

This case involves a man in his 50s, who was exposed in a part of Middlesex County already designated to be at high risk for EEE....

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local...-2024/3502835/

EEE in Mass.: Why we don't know if any patient has died so far this year
Under current Department of Public Health policy, it's not yet public information whether any of Massachusetts' four reported human EEE infections this year have resulted in the person dying
By Asher Klein • Published September 27, 2024 • Updated on September 27, 2024 at 10:06 pm

Four people in Massachusetts have been diagnosed with the rare mosquito-borne virus eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, so far this year, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It's led some communities to advise residents to limit outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active, at dawn and dusk.

Of those who develop severe symptoms of EEE, 30% die, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and survivors can have long-term neurological issues.

Massachusetts has reported the most EEE cases of any state this year — New Hampshire, with two, is the only other state with more than one case, according to CDC data, last updated Tuesday. The last EEE outbreak in Massachusetts, from 2019-2020, led to seven deaths among 17 cases in people. But it's not yet public information whether any of Massachusetts' four reported human EEE infections this year have resulted in the person dying, under current Department of Public Health policy...

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Source: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local...n0XXtr&ref=app

Mass. man died of EEE, family says, asking why state didn't announce it
"It was in the news being reported that a man had been confirmed with EEE, but they didn't announce that he had passed away," Basil Chigas' son said
By Mary Markos and Asher Klein • Published October 2, 2024 • Updated on October 2, 2024 at 7:44 pm

An Acton man died of eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, about a month ago, according to his family and the town. His death is the first publicly linked to the mosquito-borne illness in Massachusetts this year — the state is withholding EEE mortality information until the end of the season, under a policy designed to protect patient confidentiality.

Basil Chigas, 76, was the third of four people confirmed to have EEE in Massachusetts this year, according to his family, which is calling for answers about his death. He was otherwise healthy, but died within a week, his wife and son said in an exclusive interview with NBC10 Boston Wednesday, voicing concerns about a lack of communication from state and local government both before and after his death.

"The loss of someone in that amount of time is just– it's a staggering experience," son Nick Chigas said. "My mom still hasn't gotten a call from the town or the state about where he was — looking at this as an opportunity to get more information about what happened so they could do something."

Chigas' illness started with chills, a fever and vomiting, and quickly progressed to seizures, according to his family. They said they didn't know it was EEE for sure until a week later, the day before they buried him...