Tejal somvanshi
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The Massachusetts Public Health Center has announced a "critical risk level" following a recent rise in Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) cases across the state, particularly affecting several towns.
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Health authorities reported the first human case on August 16, 2023, marking the first such case since 2020 in an 80-year-old man from Worcester County.
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Soon after, a second case was reported in a horse from Plymouth, prompting an increase in risk levels to critical in up to ten towns, including those in Worcester and Plymouth counties.
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Plymouth, along with Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster, has imposed a voluntary nighttime curfew, with parks and sports facilities closing after 6 PM to reduce exposure to mosquitoes during peak activity hours.
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The Board of Health is advising residents to stay indoors after 5 PM starting October 1st until the first hard frost occurs, which typically kills off the mosquito population that transmits the virus.
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However, authorities assured that no penalties would be imposed on residents who have insurance and have signed an indemnity form if they choose to use municipal fields outside of the recommended hours.
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Schools and educational institutions have been advised to reschedule games and practice sessions to avoid evening hours and weekends when mosquito activity is at its peak, ensuring the safety of students and staff.
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Although only a few EEE cases have been reported, the disease is extremely dangerous, with a mortality rate of around 30% among those who develop severe symptoms, including encephalitis.
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Common symptoms of EEE include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, seizures, and brain inflammation, with the most severe cases leading to death or chronic disabilities, especially in children and the elderly.