Vermont became the second state to postpone public events and recommend residents stay home at night due to Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Curfews were previously announced in multiple areas of neighboring Massachusetts.

“Citizens in some of Vermont’s most populous areas have been ‘strongly recommended’ to avoid leaving home between 6 pm and 6 am, when mosquitos are most active,” Daily Mail reports.

Officials postponed local nighttime festivals and concerts.

🚨New: Vermont has became the second state to postpone public events in order to curb the spread of a deadly virus in the state. Vermont joins Massachusetts in recommending their citizens stay home at night, amid high reports of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Via: Daily Mail pic.twitter.com/AW6M2ltqZ0

— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) September 7, 2024

Per Daily Mail:

Though the virus is rare, it’s already claimed one life in New England this year. Steven Perry, 41, a father-of-four, died after contracting the virus in New Hampshire last week.

He was the first person in New Hampshire to be infected with the virus in ten years.

Around the same time, across state lines, curfews were announced in multiple counties in Massachusetts. Sports games, cookouts and other end-of summer events have been postponed across the state, a move Vermont seems to be mirroring.

EEE is rare – affecting an estimated 11 Americans per year – but in the past year, it’s plagued New England at seemingly record levels.

August marked the first human case of the mosquito-borne illness in Vermont since 2012.

The areas in Vermont at highest risk, as highlighted by the health department include Burlington, Colchester, Alburg, Swanton and Sudbury.

WATCH:

This year's Oktoberfest Vermont, which was scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 21 has been cancelled as health department officials recommend that people in parts of the state avoid being outdoors after dusk due to the risk of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). pic.twitter.com/OKTIyoJLgB

— Tyler Boronski (@TylerBoronski) September 3, 2024

Due to an uptick in eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in mosquitoes, several Vermont counties are on alert to stay indoors at night. We joined Patti Casey, Environmental Surveillance Program Manager, to learn how samples are taken to detect EEE in Vermont. pic.twitter.com/trUqRC3GQL

— Vermont Public (@vermontpublic) September 4, 2024

Events in Vermont canceled or rescheduled include:

Burlington Free Press reports:

According to the Vermont Department of Health website, 47 groups of mosquitos tested positive for the EEE virus across 11 communities, compared with 14 groups in three towns in 2023. The first Vermont case of EEE in humans since 2012 was detected in Chittenden County in August.

“EEE virus activity in Vermont clusters near acidic, hardwood swamps, most commonly in Franklin, Grand Isle, Addison, and northern Rutland counties,” according to the state Health Department. “However, EEE virus could be circulating in other parts of the state, so all Vermonters should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.”

Communities listed by the Vermont Department of Health as having moderate risk for EEE are Milton, Vergennes, Grand Isle, Cornwall and Whiting. The towns of Highgate, Fairfield, Benson, Brandon, Leicester and New Haven have a low risk for EEE, according to the Health Department.

“Most people who do get sick (from EEE) experience a flu-like illness with fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain,” according to the Vermont Department of Health. “This illness can last one to two weeks, and most people recover completely when there is no central nervous system involvement.”

In rare cases, according to the state Department of Health, infection of the brain and spinal cord results, causing sudden high fever, a stiff next and a worsening headache.