After Eastern equine encephalitis was found in mosquito pools in York and Alfred, Kennebunk and Wells high schools in Maine have suspended night games and activities at their schools.
Mosquitoes - Carriers of EEE
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts have all identified Eastern Equine Encephalitis in mosquito pools, and in Massachusetts, two horses have tested positive for EEE.
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Superintendent Andrew Dolloff said the district is following recommendations from the Maine Center for Disease Control that use of athletic fields be done by dusk, when mosquitoes are more prevalent.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has reported five positive tests for EEE in mosquito pools in Alfred and two in York.
Dolloff said the football and soccer game were the only evening events within the next 10 days, when the district will again assess the situation.
“We’ll see if there’s a frost or if things cool down to the point where it’s a minimized concern,” he said. “We have a half dozen night events between now and Oct. 1 that we are looking at. We’re going to take it a week to 10 days at a time and will follow the advice of the CDC.”
Athletes are being provided insect repellent with parental approval, Dolloff said, and the district is investigating potential spraying of athletic fields for mosquitoes.
Jack Molloy, athletic director for the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District, said the district will also not have any night games through Saturday, Sept. 14. The start times will be moved up and more information will be forthcoming, he said.
EEE is a virus transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that can cause serious illness in humans, large animals such as horses and some species of birds, according to information released by the Maine CDC. Those infected at first experience flu-like systems, according to the CDC.
New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts have also identified EEE in mosquito pools. In Massachusetts, two horses have tested positive for EEE and one resident has a confirmed case of the virus.
“EEE is a very serious illness” state epidemiologist Stephen Spears said in a released statement, “Mainers need to take appropriate precautions against mosquitoes to prevent this illness.”
Director of Maine CDC Dr. Sheila Pinette said additional positive tests are likely. “We still have plenty of warm weather ahead in the next few weeks and this increases the possibility of additional positive pools,” she said in a released statement.