a rare and potentially fatal mosquito born disease has put nearly a dozen communities in Massachusetts on high alert as a result some towns are closing Parks after dark restricting outdoor activities and rescheduling public events this month Massachusetts Health officials confirmed the state's first human case of Eastern equine and sephtis ee for the year the patient a man in his 80s was exposed in Worster County West of B a currently 10 communities are classified as high or critical risk for EA in response Plymouth has closed all public parks and Fields From Dusk until dawn while Oxford has banned all outdoor activities on Town property after 6:00 p.m. Robbie Goldstein the state's Public Health commissioner emphasized the importance of using all available measures to reduce risk and protect communities urging everyone to contribute to these efforts Eastern equine and sephtis transmitted through mosquito bites is rare but severe the Centers for Disease Control and prevention CDC notes that about 30% of those infected die and many survivors face long-term neurological issues the outbreak coincides with an extended mosquito season across the US exacerbated by climate change Rising temperatures have increased the number of mosquito days where conditions are optimal for mosquito activity the Northeast including Massachusetts has experienced the most significant rise in these days Health officials have announced plans for mosquito spring between Dusk and Dawn in Plymouth and Worster counties to control ee Massachusetts Department of agricultural resources commissioner Ashley Randall emphasized the importance of these measures while urging residents to stay vigilant and follow personal protection guidelines residents are advised to use mosquito repellants eliminate standing water around homes wear protective clothing and avoid outdoor activities during Peak mosquito hours ee symptoms include fever headache vomiting diarrhea seizures behavioral changes and drowsiness there is no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus in 2019 Massachusetts reported 12 ee cases with six fatalities the following year saw five cases and one death Oxford's Town manager Jennifer M Callahan revealed that the individual currently hospitalized with e had previously reported minimal mosquito bites the family hopes to raise awareness about the seriousness of the disease and its severe consequences to be informed of this and more news subscribe comment and like this video the Curious mind