The Oxford Board of Health called a special meeting on Wednesday after a human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been confirmed for the first time since 2020 in Worcester County, Massachusetts. The recommendation to keep people indoors after 6:00 pm has been supported in this meeting. The recommendation will come into effect immediately by September 30.

From October 1, it has been recommended that people stay indoors after 5:00 p.m., until the first episode cools down and the spread of mosquitoes decreases.

This time period is especially known as the “extreme hours of mosquitoes”, which continue from evening to dawn. “It is our duty to ensure the safety of our community,”” the health board chairman said.” EEE is a serious disease, and we’ve seen an outbreak of it spreading in our community. We therefore request residents to follow these recommendations.”

According to experts, EEE is spread by mosquito bites and can cause serious neurological problems in the human body, including inflammation in the brain. The disease is rare, but when it does occur, it can be fatal.

Only one human case has been reported so far in Massachusetts this year, but the EEE virus has been confirmed in several mosquitoes across the state. Public health officials said the infected man, who is a resident of Oxford, is currently hospitalized and in a critical condition, but he is fighting the virus bravely.

Compliance with these recommendations is not mandatory, and if a person does not comply with them, no penalties will be imposed on them. But officials have also made it clear that the move is imperative for people’s safety. An Oxford spokesperson said, “We want our residents to be well aware of the EEE and its dangers and take measures to prevent this disease.”

“However, if one wishes to use the public grounds of the city, especially in time outside of these recommendations, they must first provide proof of insurance and also fill out a liability-free form.”

Oxford is working closely with three other high-risk communities, and all of these communities have issued similar recommendations. Schools and local sports organizations are adjusting their sports programs in line with these recommendations, so that all practice and games can take place before the evening and during the weekend.

In addition, mosquito control measures are being scaled up in the city, including regular fogging, cleaning of water-logged areas and special campaigns to spread awareness about mosquito-borne diseases. City residents are being advised to use mosquito nets, cover open water sources and take precautions to ward off mosquitoes wherever possible.

In this situation, it is extremely important to take precautions and follow the recommendations issued by the health department, as the disease can pose a serious threat not only to the infected person, but also to other people in the community.