Schools, municipalities warn of EEE exposure

Some schools canceling activities after dark

MIDDLESEX COUNTY — The risk of catching the virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis is increasing in Connecticut, following the confirmation that two individuals and three horses in New London and Windham Counties were diagnosed with the illness in recent weeks.

Department of Public Health Commissioner Renée D. ColemanMitchell Friday announced a second state resident has tested positive for the infection. The patient is an adult resident of Old Lyme who became ill during the second week of September with encephalitis and remains hospitalized, according to a press release.

The first person diagnosed with EEE this year in Connecticut passed away earlier this week. The patient, an adult resident from East Lyme, was hospitalized with encephalitis in late August. This is Connecticut's first fatal human EEE case since 2013, the release said.

Mosquitos tested positive in 12 towns, including Chester and Haddam.

Due to the increased risk of EEE, several local towns and schools have additionally made adjustments to regular schedules to keep residents safe.

East Hampton Public Schools will end all outdoor afterschool activities, athletic practices, and athletic games prior to dusk until the first heavy frost.

The town of East Hampton will treat the borders of its high, center and middle school athletic fields with organic mosquito sprays that do not pose risk to humans.

Regional School District 17, Haddam and Killingworth, will end all outdoor activities on campus at 6 p.m. until the first frost.

As a precautionary measure, the district medical adviser recommends that parents provide their students who are involved in sports or activities that can run into the evening hours to bring their own bug spray and selfapply it. Parents may also choose to apply bug spray at home, according to a statement from Holly Hageman, interim superintendent of RSD 17.

While normally considered rare, with an average of seven cases reported per year, EEE can be seriously lifethreatening, according to the DPH. However, there are many ways to lower risk of contracting EEE, with the most prominent being preventing mosquito bites.

The DPH recommends taking the following precautions:

⏩ Use insect repellent. This product, when used as directed, can protect all individuals from insect bites.

⏩ Cover up when outside, wearing long sleeves and long pants.

⏩ Prevent insects from entering your home using air conditioning, window screens or door screens. ⏩ Limit outdoor exposure of infants and children.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control advises that mosquitos are most active in the early morning and evening. If possible, limit time outdoors during those periods of time. The EEE threat will remain active until nightly temperatures drop low enough for frost, which generally occurs in earlytomid October, according to the release.

Rick Bowmer / Associated Press State and federal health officials are reporting a higher than usual number of deaths and illnesses from the rare, mosquitoborne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis.