The rare but dangerous Eastern equine encephalitis virus continues to pose a threat to Massachusetts residents in Bristol, Plymouth, Middlesex and Worcester counties. The EEE virus, which infects birds and is then spread by mosquitos, was first discovered in humans nearly a century ago in Massachusetts. It’s most often been found in and around Plymouth and Bristol counties. But this year, as it has in 2012, and again in 2019 the virus has spread to more distinct regions of the state. In addition to a wider distribution of the virus, EEE outbreaks have become more frequent in recent years. The Department of Public Health’s state epidemiologist, Dr. Catherine Brown, said she believes both factors suggest climate change is increasing this threat by shifting bird migration habits and creating conditions for a longer mosquito season. The EEE risk map, last updated Sept. 17, 2024. “EEE used to be a Massachusetts problem, and other states in the region considered themselves fortunate that they didn’t have to deal with it,” Brown said. “But as we have seen new emerging hotspots in Massachusetts, there have also been the emergence of new areas in other parts of New England.” The virus remains rare — including the current outbreak, there have been a total of 120 cases in the state — but it can be disabling or even deadly because there is no treatment, and EEE can cause swelling of the brain. There have been 64 deaths total in the state. None of the four people infected in the current outbreak has died. While Massachusetts may no longer be the clear epicenter of EEE activity in the Northeast that it once was, Brown pointed out that, within the state, the number of outbreaks is accelerating. There were just five outbreaks from the 1930s through the […]