UPDATE: Human case of EEE confirmed in Georgetown - Wicked Local

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced today the first confirmed human case of eastern equine encephalitis  in Georgetown.  The individual is a male in his 70s and is hospitalized.

This is the fifth case of EEE in a Massachusetts resident this year. There were two human cases identified in 2011 (one in an out of state resident who was likely exposed in MA). Georgetown was already considered at critical risk for EEE based on the occurrence of a horse case in August. The horse succumbed to the disease.

Northeast Mosquito Control announced a plan to spray the entire town with an adulticide to kill the mosquitoes on Wednesday night, Sept. 19, weather permitting.

Towns at high or critical risk for EEE are encouraged to reschedule outdoor events to at least avoid the peak mosquito activity hours between dusk and dawn.

The Georgetown Board of Health today issued an order banning all outdoor activities on town-owned land from 3 p.m. to 9 a.m. The order applies to school fields and grounds as well for sports and other activities. Signs will be posted to warn residents of the curfew and police will make passing inspections for trespassers.

Health Director Deborah Rogers said the ban would likely remain in effect until the first frost, which typically occurs in early November, kills some of the mosquito population.

Athletic Director Chris DiFranco the ban will require Georgetown teams to reschedule their practices and games to away fields or inside. DiFranco said parents and students should keep checking the district's website, georgetown.k12.ma.us, and schedulestar.com for updates.

"We're getting the word out as soon as we can," he said. "Student safety is our number one concern."

Several Georgetown Days activities planned for this weekend will change their locations and times due the ban.

The PTA Family Fun Festival on Saturday, Sept. 22, will move from the American Legion Park to inside the Penn Brook School at 68 Elm St. The event will still take place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. however.

All events at Camp Denison on Saturday have been canceled.

The Cruisin' Georgetown Days car show at Perley, 51 North St., will still take place on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. but organizers will be breaking down the show around 2:45 p.m.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.  While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness. 

The Georgetown Board of Health said it continues to work closely with the state Health Department.

Health officials recommend that residents curtail outdoor activities to the extent possible and take these precautions:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.

Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.  Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water â€" Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently. 

Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv.