Massachusetts officials have confirmed the first human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the state this year. Currently 4 towns are considered at critical risk status for EEE, with several more in high or moderate risk categories.

The safety of players is always the top priority for Mass Youth Soccer and we recommend following all advised precautions to protect communities and minimize risk.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

Avoid standing water
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so try to avoid areas with puddles, old tires, and empty containers.

Use insect repellent
When you use it as directed, insect repellent is the best way to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Even kids and pregnant people should protect themselves with insect repellent, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When you’re choosing insect repellent to apply to your skin, look for the active ingredients DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or picaridin (KBR 3023). Both provide protection against biting mosquitoes, but DEET is the most common ingredient found in repellents.

Dr. Piliang recommends DEET. “Higher concentrations of DEET give you longer-lasting protection if you’re staying outside for several hours,” she says. “Products with DEET typically offer different formulas that contain from 5% to 100% of the chemical, giving you about 90 minutes to 10 hours of protection.”

Be sure to follow the directions on the package and follow these tips:

Apply it to bare skin:
“Apply insect repellent only to exposed skin and concentrate on your ankles, feet, neck, ears, arms and legs,” Dr. Piliang says. Don’t spray repellent on the skin that’s covered by clothing.

Avoid your eyes and mouth:
Don’t spray or pump repellent directly onto your face. Instead, spray your hands, then spread the repellent carefully on your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth.

Sunscreen first:
If you’re also wearing sunscreen (psst: You should be!), apply the sunscreen first, then the insect repellent.

Mosquitoes are most active from dusk till dawn, so it’s most important to apply repellent when you go out during those hours. But in many areas, mosquitoes also bite during the day, so apply it whenever you’ll be outdoors for an extended period.

Avoid perfumes

You may love a fruity, floral or woodsy scent, but here’s some bad news: Bugs do, too.

“Mosquitoes are attracted to perfumes, colognes and even scented lotions,” Dr. Piliang says, “so if you’re prone to getting bitten, it’s best to forego fragrances.”


Additional Resources
EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) | Mass.gov
Mosquito-borne Diseases | Mass.gov