Map: Is your town at high risk of EEE? – The Boston Globe
Massachusetts and New Hampshire health authorities are warning residents about the risk of eastern equine encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease, after two human cases of the disease were reported in recent days, including one that resulted in a death.
Eastern equine encephalitis, better known as EEE, is a very rare disease that as been found locally in mosquito samples taken this summer. In humans, EEE can often be deadly, and in Massachusetts about half of people identified with EEE have died from the infection, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Massachusetts public health officials regularly publish data estimating the EEE risk level for Massachusetts cities and towns. The map below will be updated as the state releases new data.
What do the risk levels mean?
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, risk levels mean the following:
Remote: EEE is not usually found in your area.
Low: EEE may occur in your area.
Moderate: EEE occurred in your area within the last year AND/OR there is EEE in mosquitos in your area now.
High: Conditions likely to lead to infection of a person with EEE are occurring in your area.
Critical: Excessive risk from EEE virus exists, a person with EEE infection has been identified in your area.
Where has EEE been found this summer?
Massachusetts health authorities have published a list of instances in which a mosquito, animal, or person has tested positive for EEE. The data below will be updated.
Christina Prignano can be reached at christina.prignano@globe.com. Follow her @cprignano.