The Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, which killed two people in September of last year, is active in Vermont this year as well, according to a news release from the Department of Health.
This year’s first EEE-positive mosquito was found in an Addison County trap on Aug. 1, but no human or animal cases have been reported. This is the second year that the virus has been detected in Vermont.
The West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne virus that has been present in Vermont since 2000, was discovered in a sample from Addison County in the beginning of July and has since been found in mosquito pools in Rutland and Franklin counties.
“These detections confirm that both mosquito-borne viruses are circulating in Vermont again this year,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen.
Chen advises Vermonters to continue enjoying the outdoors but to take precautions.
The Department of Health advises people to wear long sleeves and be careful at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are the most active.
For more information about EEE and the West Nile viruses see the story we reported earlier this summer.
