BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Despite the cooling temperatures, concern over the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis continues.

The Vermont Department of Health has added another town to the list of communities that it says are at high risk for EEE. Salisbury is the new addition, joining Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, Sudbury, Swanton and Whiting.

Most people infected with EEE do not develop symptoms. About 5% who do, develop severe symptoms which can be deadly. Health officials say those under 15 or over the age of 50 tend to be at higher risk for the virus.

State officials say EEE research is still new and they are still working to understand why more mosquitoes are getting infected.

“We know that triple E tends to happen in cycles and it might show up for several years and then go away for several years and then come back. So, it’s probably always in our environment in Vermont,” Vt. State Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso said.

Officials say they are still monitoring whether or not they should spray for EEE, but they say that it may not be as effective due to fewer bugs at night with the cooler weather. Regardless, experts recommend limiting evening outdoor activities until the first frost in those high-risk communities.

Click here for much more on EEE from the Vermont Health Department.

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