Dear Dr. John,

I live in Central Massachusetts and have been on heightened concern about the recent outbreak of EEE. My family is staying in after the sun goes down, but we wonder how safe it might be for our dog to be walked during the evening hours. Can dogs catch EEE and is it fatal to them? Should we be overly concerned since our area is on critical risk and public health officials are taking the steps that they have? S.O.

Dear S.O.,

Your concerns are valid, and you would be wise to follow public health authority suggestions. Central Massachusetts is on high alert and Plymouth is also taking proper precautionary steps to protect people and species susceptible to Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). It has also been found recently in New Hampshire where one person has died because of infection. Public health officials routinely test for EEE and the reason why you may have not heard much about it is because outbreaks usually occur every 10-20 years yet there were cases in Massachusetts as recently as 2019 and 2020.

Only about 5% of people that get infected get the disease, of which about 30% actually die. Mosquitoes get the viral disease from infected birds. It is highly fatal in horses and there is a core vaccine available for horses but none available for other species. Dogs can catch EEE, as can other species, but it is very rare. Dogs that do catch it are usually primarily outdoors and young puppies. Signs are vague and include loss of appetite, fever, and diarrhea. As in humans, this can progress to neurological signs and supportive care is the only way to treat the virus. Fatality is exceptionally rare in dogs.

The hours when authorities are suggesting people to stay indoors is because that is when mosquitoes are most active, potentially transmitting EEE if the mosquito is carrying the virus. Since you will need to walk your dog during these hours, cover exposed skin and use repellents. Do so until colder temperatures and the first frost arrives.

Dr. John de Jong is President of the World Veterinary Association. He owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic and can be reached at 781-899-9994.