Wareham’s risk level for EEE raised to “high”

Yesterday the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced that they have elevated the risk level for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in Wareham from moderate to high. In total, the agency found 10 new mosquito samples that tested positive for the virus in Wareham and Carver, another town that is also at “high” risk.

The “high” status means that those who live in a community with the elevated status are asked to severely limit their time outdoors during peak feeding hours, from dusk to dawn.

For Bristol County Raynham and Taunton are the only towns or cities that have an elevated status and are considered at “moderate” risk.

Currently, there is one confirmed human case of EEE in Massachusetts.

EEE virus is a rare cause of brain infections (encephalitis) typically spread to humans via a mosquito bite. Approximately 30% of people with EEE die and many survivors have ongoing neurologic problems.