September 18, 2024
With warm, wet weather comes a rise in mosquito-borne diseases. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) made headlines in recent weeks when the Massachusetts Department of Health (MDPH) called attention to increasing levels of infection risk in municipalities across the state. The collection, monitoring, and reporting of data; unified communications regarding risk-reduction strategies; and coordination of municipal-level interventions (such as aerial and truck spraying) against mosquito-borne illnesses are perfect examples of a preventative public health program at work.
Public health surveillance methods for arboviral diseases - those spread to humans by infected insects - have existed in the United States for decades. This work is likely to continue and potentially expand as climate experts anticipate changes in weather patterns and animal migration habits.
The state publishes risk level for EEE and WNV by town weekly throughout arbovirus season (June through October). At the time of writing, MetroWest communities range from remote to moderate risk of EEE and low to moderate risk of WNV infection. To learn about the risk level and recommended precautions in your community, visit the risk maps published by MDPH.