People in high-risk areas for EEE are strongly recommended to limit evening time outdoors.
Health officials strongly recommend that people in towns at high risk avoid spending time outdoors as much as possible between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to avoid mosquitoes that could carry the virus. The recommendation will be in place until the first hard frost that kills mosquitoes.
High-risk towns currently include Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, Sudbury, Swanton, Whiting and Salisbury. Additional testing could increase the number of towns at high risk in the coming days and weeks.
These are currently strong recommendations, but they are not requirements. It would apply to outdoor evening events, but organizers would make the decision on whether to adjust the timing.
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Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. Only a few human cases are reported in the United States each year. The disease also commonly affects horses, but it has been reported in other animals like alpacas, donkeys, pheasants, and emus.
There are no human vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat EEE. The best way to reduce your risk of infection with EEE virus is by preventing mosquito bites: limit time outdoors at dawn and dusk, use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear with permethrin, and control mosquitos indoors and outdoors.
