Mosquito-Borne Disease Prompts Town to Close Parks After Dark
What’s Happening?
Due to an increased risk of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare but potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease, the town of Easton, Massachusetts has closed its municipal parks and fields to nighttime visitors. The closure is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.
EEE is a rare disease that can cause inflammation of the brain. Symptoms can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and disorientation. In severe cases, EEE can be fatal.
What You Should Do
To protect yourself from EEE, it is important to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. These precautions include:
- Wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk
- Using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535
- Emptying standing water from your property, such as birdbaths and flower pots
- Repairing or replacing screens on windows and doors
- Avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk)
Where to Get More Information
For more information on EEE, please visit the following resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health
- Town of Easton, Massachusetts
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