Mosquito-Borne Disease Outbreak in Plymouth, Massachusetts

SOURCE www.npr.org
A Massachusetts town has ordered its parks to close from dusk to dawn due to a high risk of a fatal mosquito-borne disease being spread. The disease, Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), has a fatality rate of about 30% and no treatment or vaccine is available.

Key Points

  • EEE detected in a horse in Plymouth, Massachusetts
  • Disease spread through infected mosquitoes
  • Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, seizures, behavioral changes
  • Most deaths occur within 2-10 days after symptoms begin
  • Precautions include wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent, and avoiding outdoor activities between dusk and dawn

Pros

  • Town taking proactive measures to protect residents from EEE
  • Providing guidelines on how to minimize exposure to infected mosquitoes

Cons

  • High fatality rate of about 30%
  • No treatment or vaccine available for EEE