Stephen Rich Speaks to Media About Eastern Equine Encephalitis

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Stephen Rich, professor in the College of Natural Sciences's Department of Microbiology and director of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, has been fielding questions about a surge in cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts this summer. Often abbreviated to EEE, this virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.

When speaking with the New York Times, Rich argued that, even though the virus is rarely contracted among humans, it's still wise to take precautions when mosquitoes are most active: 

“If we can minimize exposures at those times, we have an even better chance of not contracting the infection and developing disease.”

— Stephen Rich speaking to the New York Times

Rich recently spoke with Patch about the cyclical nature of the virus:

“There’s a five- to seven-year cycle where we see a big surge of cases of EEE or positive mosquitoes. This is predicted to be one of those years."

— Stephen Rich speaking to Patch

Content will be added to this article as Rich and other CNS researchers share their insights on Eastern Equine Encephalitis.