A mosquito clings to the inside of a bottle of repellent during a test as part of a tour of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory in Fort Collins, Colorado, Thursday, April 4, 2024. David Zarbowski/AP Hide caption
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David Zarbowski/AP
A Massachusetts town has ordered its parks closed from dusk to dawn due to the high risk of spreading a deadly mosquito-borne disease.
The city of Plymouth, Massachusetts, began the measure on Friday after Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) was detected in horses in the area, and sports teams and other groups cannot gather in parks after dark, the city said.
Infected mosquitoes are usually found in the eastern or Gulf Coast states. The disease is spread by infected mosquitoes and, although rare, has a mortality rate of about 30%. According to the CDC, there is no cure or vaccine for EEE.
Survivors may suffer from chronic neurological problems, and symptoms may include “fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness,” according to the CDC.
“Now that the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services has raised Plymouth’s EEE risk status to high, it is important that people take extra precautions when outdoors and follow state and local health guidelines to avoid unnecessary risk of exposure to EEE,” said Plymouth Health and Human Services Director Michelle Blatti. “The health and safety of our community, residents and visitors is our top priority.”
According to the Massachusetts Department of Health, most deaths occur within two to 10 days after symptoms begin.
The town plans to spray area parks, residential areas and schools between 2 a.m. and sunrise.
EEE-infected mosquitoes have also been found in Plymouth, Barnstable, and Essex counties in Massachusetts.
Plymouth officials say residents can minimize their risk of exposure to EEE by wearing long-sleeved clothing, draining standing water, installing or repairing screens, and postponing outdoor activities from dusk to dawn. The city also advises using insect repellents that contain certified ingredients such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin, and lemon eucalyptus oil.
