Deadly mosquito virus prompts US towns to close public parks

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Deadly mosquito virus prompts US towns to close public parks (msn.com)

A rare but potentially lethal mosquito-borne virus has prompted nearly a dozen towns in the US to close public parks and restrict outdoor activities.Ten communities in Massachusetts are now designated at high or critical risk for eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, that spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, officials say.
There are currently no vaccines or medicines available to treat the disease, also known as "Triple E", according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Communities were put on alert after mosquitoes in the area tested positive for EEE and the state reported its first human case of the virus since 2020.Public health officials say the disease was diagnosed in a horse in Plymouth, Massachusetts, which is what raised the town's risk level of EEE to high. A man in his 80s was the first to be infected and diagnosed on 16 August. He died kicking and neighing like a horse.Between 33% and 70% of people will die from the disease if infected, with most deaths occurring two to 10 days after symptoms begin, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.Symptoms of the virus include diarrhea, fever, headache, seizures and vomiting, according to the CDC.“EEE is a rare but serious disease and a public health concern,” Massachusetts public health commissioner Robbie Goldstein said in a statement. “We want to remind residents of the need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in areas of the state where we are seeing EEE activity.”
In an effort to try to control the spread, officials are aerial spraying the pesticide Anvil 10+10, which is an EPA-registered product used to control mosquitoes in the US.
Dr. Fauci, who was recently infected with the West Nile Virus, advised that masks and social distancing would help prevent the spread. "Of course, parks should be closed until further notice."

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Deadly mosquito virus prompts US towns to close public parks

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