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Seven cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a deadly disease for humans and animals transmitted by a mosquito, have been confirmed since the beginning of the epidemic this summer in the West of Massachusetts. While Medford and Somerville have a low risk of contracting the disease, Grafton, home to Tufts' Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, is one of 36 Massachusetts communities with a "critical" risk of contracting the disease.
The most recent case, according to the Boston Globe, struck an average-aged man in Bristol, Massachusetts. The second human case of this year's EEE in Massachusetts was reported in Grafton in August. In addition, there have been two cases of EEE in horses this year, according to Boston 25 News.
On the Grafton campus, the administration has taken a number of steps to raise awareness and take precautions. In addition, the campus has been sprayed for mosquito control at least twice recently, according to Joseph McManus, associate dean of the Cummings School leadership.
In addition to these aerial spraying carried out by the state government, the Grafton campus itself has taken steps to combat the threat of mosquitoes. According to Alexandra Fielding, a student at Cummings, the university's communications on preventive measures and EEE risk for students are consistent since the day the first case was reported to Grafton in August.
According to Barbara Berman, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at Cummings School, the school bought a mosquito repellent, made it available to students and moved an evening party indoors, because of the increased risk of to contract the disease later in the day.
"We advised community members to take the usual precautions, such as wearing long pants and long sleeves, use an insect repellent outdoors and try to stay inside the twilight at dawn, the day the mosquitoes are the most active, "said Berman in an interview with the Du Daily.
Tufts worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Grafton City Board of Health during this outbreak and followed their advice to protect school members, according to Rene Fielding, director of emergency management in Tufts.
"In this case, we sent messages to the community to increase awareness, inform about prevention and inform people about sprays of the state," Fielding told The Daily. "The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and our local health boards are good at proactively providing information and advice to their constituents, including at Tufts University."
Cummings School has taken precautions against the disease with the help of local and national agencies, as well as from a school teacher who is an authority on the subject, McManus said. Professor Sam Telford, who specializes in infectious diseases and global health, worked closely with the school to take proactive measures against the spread of IAS.
Professor Telford – who sits on several other local and regional councils on related issues – has been on the ground, on the Grafton campus and in the state, collecting mosquitoes to help determine particular EEE reservoirs, "McManus told The Daily. "His work helps the state identify sites that need to be targeted for spraying."
Just last week, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources sprayed several counties west of Boston by plane to fight mosquitoes, according to the state's website.
"The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will conduct aerial spraying in specific areas of Middlesex, Norfolk and Worcester counties starting Tuesday evening, September 10, and will continue for several evenings," according to an online statement from the Department of Massachusetts Public Health.
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