What is Triple E?
Beginning during the past summer, Walpole has been put in high risk for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus, also known as Triple E. Triple E is a serious disease originating in horses, but it is commonly transferred by mosquitoes. One-third of all people who get Triple E die but if caught early, treatment and survival is likely, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once someone is bitten, it takes 4 to 10 days to experience symptoms. There are two types of Triple E: Systemic and Encephalitic. Systemic has an abrupt onset and symptoms include chills, fever, malaise, and more. Systemic lasts about one to two weeks, and recovery can be complete once there is no central nervous system involvement. Encephalitic has an abrupt onset for infants, but for children and adults, it manifests after a few days of systemic. The symptoms of encephalitis are more extensive and include fever, headache, irritability, restlessness, drowsiness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and more. For both types of Triple E, death can occur 2 to 10 days after symptoms are set in. Survivors of Triple E can be left with disabling and progressing mental and physical sequelae. Those with severe sequelae most likely die within a few years. Triple E was first discovered in Massachusetts in 1938, and until this year, less than 100 cases have occurred. Out of those approximately 100 cases, over 60% were from Plymouth and Norfolk counties. Triple E usually outbreaks every 10 to 20 years in Massachusetts, lasting about two to three years.
How is Triple E affecting Walpole?
Walpole is in the high risk condition for Triple E. Although its most recent outbreak was about nine years ago in 2010, Triple E has never been this serious in Massachusetts. Walpole is under a town wide curfew, meaning no town activities will occur past the curfew time which, as of Sept. 18th, is 6:30 p.m. Walpole High School sports are experiencing changes due to the threat of Triple E. Many teams have to change lots of practice and game times, especially WHS football team. The WHS football team has changed practices and Friday night games to an earlier time. “I’d prefer to play at night time under the lights” captain Will Jarvis said. Along with the rescheduling of all night games, multiple teams have had to cancel or shorten practices. The field hockey team has shortened practices from two hours to an hour and a half, and the football team has cancelled their Wednesday night practices. “[Triple E’s] definitely scary to think about, but I think the school has taken a lot of precautions to ensure our safety,” field hockey captain Sydney Scales said. Field hockey and football are just two of the many fall sports teams that have had to accommodate their schedules and practices to Triple E. Cross Country started off the season running on the track rather than in the town forest in order to avoid Triple E; however, they have now begun running their normal routes in wooded areas. They practice everyday after school and never go later than 6 p.m. in order to ensure safety and abide by the curfew. “Most of us spray everyday with bug spray and I feel more comfortable now that the town has been aerial sprayed,” Danielle Dentremont said. Although the ongoing threat of Triple E is affecting multiple Walpole sports team and their schedules, none are letting it have a negative impact on their playing.
“[Triple E’s] definitely scary to think about, but I think the school has taken a lot of precautions to ensure our safety,” field hockey captain Sydney Scales said.
What’s next?
For the area to be completely safe, there must be two consecutive, 8 to 10 hour periods of below freezing temperatures. However, the virus usually comes back once temperatures are up again and it stays for about two to three years. For Walpole, this means the threat of Triple E will not be going away for some time. In order to avoid getting bitten, WHS Nurse Rachel Jackson recommends wearing clothing that covers up a lot of your body and staying away from wooded areas. “The best advice is to limit your time outside from dusk till dawn,” Jackson said. Jackson additionally advises to put on bug spray particularly with deet in it, a stronger form of bug repellant. It is unknown how long it will be until a frost comes, until then people should continue to take environmental precautions. Members of the community hope for both sports teams and town members to stay as safe as possible during the time Triple E is a threat.