MA Department of Health elevates Triple E risk to ‘high’ for seven communities

By Brittany Comak 

Twitter: @BComakABC6

FREETOWN, Mass. (WLNE) – Seven southeastern Massachusetts communities are at an elevated risk for contracting the Triple E Virus.

Mosquitoes in the areas of Carver, Easton, Freetown, Lakeville, Middleboro, New Bedford, and Raynham have tested positive for the virus.

Mosquitoes, and mosquito bites, are unfortunately an annoying reality during the summer time. But if you’re not careful, the wrong bite could be deadly.

“Mosquitoes can just be pests and be pesky and the bites are itchy and a nuisance but you don’t want to get bitten by a mosquito that’s carrying a virus because it can mean real serious illness,” said Mike Healey, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

There have been no positive samples of Triple E in Rhode Island, but there have been 92 positive samples in southeastern Massachusetts.

“In the Taunton River Watershed there’s literally hundreds and hundreds of acres of swamp,” explained Healey. “And that’s the ideal breeding ground for this particular species called the black tailed mosquito which is the primary carrier of Triple E.”

To protect residents, Freetown, Massachusetts has even gone so far as to close all public spaces from dusk to dawn.

But some residents told ABC 6, they’re used to the threat.

“I’m not really worried about this,” said resident Kyle Pitts. “I’m kind of used to this as well. I just put bug spray on if it’s like annoying, if there’s a lot them around or something.”

“It doesn’t worry me that much because I’ve been born here and I’ve kind of been used to it,” said resident Bruce O’Connell.

In addition to wearing long pants and long sleeves, you can minimize your risk with bug spray that contains deet.

“Later in the summer is actually where we see more mosquitoes out biting,”explained Joseph Wendelken, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Health. “So even as the summer goes on, people want to be even more vigilant when they’re outside.”

If you are bitten by a mosquito and start to feel lethargic or spike a fever, you should see a doctor.

No human or animal cases have been detected so far this year.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019