A preliminary test of a sick horse stabled in town has shown it to have Eastern equine encephalitis, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Mosquito-borne diseases affecting horses and humans
Mosquito spraying in Manchester, MA will be done on 10/01/2012, as a result of positive EEE test of sick horse
In light of the EEE positive test, Essex and Manchester have decided for the protection of local residents it is best to ban all outdoor organized activities during peak mosquito hours — 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. — effective immediately and until such time as there is one hard frost.
The Essex Board of Health reported that the finding should be confirmed Monday, and if it is positive, the threat level for humans risk of catching the disease while rise from “moderate” to “critical.”
As members of Northeast Mosquito Control, Manchester will be conducting mosquito spraying on School Street in Manchester, out to the Essex town line) on Monday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This spraying is weather permitting and any updates on the spraying schedule will be available on the town website http://www.manchester.ma.us/
Eastern equine encephalitis is a virus that is rare, but severe. The incubation period for EEE is four to 10 days. Approximately one-third of those who develop EEE die. Others may have mild to severe permanent neurological damage.
Symptoms typically include fever, headache, alterations in level of consciousness, fatigue, confusion, seizures and sometimes headache and stiff neck. Those younger the age of 15 and older the age of 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness. The risk of infection in our area will last until the first killer frost.
The Boards of Health in both towns remind all residents to continue to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites to both horses and humans.