A rare, mosquito-borne virus known as EEE (or Triple E) has witnessed a concerning spike in case numbers in the Northeast this summer. If you’re planning to make the most of the remaining weeks of New England’s summer by heading to the lake, exploring the forest, or floating down a river, here’s all you need to know about traveling in this region as cases of Triple-E are on the rise.
“We haven’t had an EEE outbreak in Massachusetts for four years,” says Massachusetts Department of Public Health commissioner Robbie Goldstein. “This year’s outbreak and activity have increased the risk for communities in certain parts of the state. We need to utilize all our available resources to reduce the risk and protect our communities. We’re asking everyone to do their part.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, EEE is extremely serious. Symptoms of the disease can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness, and there isn’t currently a vaccine to prevent it.
There have been cases in at least five states in the US, including Vermont, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. However, the first case was detected in Massachusetts, where an 80-year-old man was exposed in Worcester County.
To minimize the risk of encountering an infected mosquito, it’s advisable to stop at a local drug store and pick up insect repellent. Massachusetts officials recommend choosing a repellent with EPA-approved ingredients such as DEET, permethrin, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
If you’re traveling with an infant who is two months old or younger (bless your heart if that’s the case), avoid using DEET products. For children under three, also avoid oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Consider rescheduling your early morning or dusk outdoor activities, as these are the peak mosquito hours. Instead, opt for mid-morning to afternoon outdoor activities, which are abundant in the region. If you can tolerate the sweat, choose to wear long sleeves and pants to prevent bites.
