Town takes precautions after mosquito disease death

A woman from Massachusetts in the US has become the first human recorded to have died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the state.

The 85-year-old was pronounced dead on Friday, 16 August after being admitted to hospital with a fever and a headache, plus other symptoms linked to EEE.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Epidemiology Office launched an investigation into the death upon notification from the hospital.

Despite an initial serum test showing negative for EEE, further tests have showed positive. It is understood that the disease was contracted as a result of a mosquito bite.

The town of Weymouth, where the elderly woman lived, has been testing pools of mosquitos for EEE, as well as West Nile Virus (WNV), as an ongoing project. However, no mosquitos have been found positive to date.

Additional testing and spraying is currently taking place in the area, plus the MDPH has increased the risk level to "high" as a precautionary measure.

Residents are therefore being recommended to stay indoors between dusk and dawn. They are also being asked to wear long sleeves, trousers and socks, to apply insect repellent, to drain standing water where mosquitos might lay their eggs and to repair mosquito screens at doors and windows.