OXFORD, Mass. — Health officials in one of four Massachusetts communities facing a significant risk of eastern equine encephalitis held a special meeting Wednesday night to discuss measures to keep residents safe.
As of Wednesday, the towns of Oxford, Douglas, Sutton and Webster are considered to be at significant risk of EEE. Massachusetts Arbovirus Risk Map.
The towns were raised to a high risk level last week after a man in his 80s tested positive for EEE.
in 6:00 p.m. Board of Health hearingOxford city officials considered measures to ensure public safety, including banning outdoor activities on town grounds.
The review came at the start of the fall youth sports season.
Health officials recommended a 6pm curfew as long as the risk of EEE remains significant.
Residents of the town are currently advised to avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn, use insect repellent and avoid outdoor activities at night.
Dudley, Northbridge and Uxbridge are considered to be at high risk of EEE.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will be conducting testing for EEE and WNV from June through October.
The state offers the following best practices that can be implemented to prevent EEE infection:
- Repair window screens
- Apply mosquito repellent from dusk to dawn
- Please wear long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn
- Using mosquito nets in strollers and playpens
- Apply mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially from dusk to dawn.
- Avoid outdoor areas where mosquitoes are active
- Schedule outdoor activities to avoid times when mosquitoes are most prevalent (dusk to dawn)
- Avoid camping overnight, especially near freshwater swamps where EEE activity is likely to occur.
- Cancel or reschedule outdoor gatherings and sporting events to avoid times when mosquitoes are most likely to be active.
EEE is a rare but serious, potentially fatal illness that can affect people of all ages.
EEE is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
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