August 27, 2024 

Dear Parents and Families,

We are sharing the following message that was sent to students earlier today. 

All the best, 

Student Life Team

Dear Student,

As we prepare to begin the new academic year, we want to share that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that mosquitoes in several communities have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus. At present, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health classifies risk of contracting EEE in Middlesex and Suffolk counties as remote. Towns in Worcester County have moderate to high risk. This could change over time.

While transmission is rare, reducing your exposure to mosquito bites is your best prevention, including limiting your outdoor activity after dusk and before dawn until there is a hard frost.

If you are outside during or after dusk:

If you are participating in outdoor activities (including the Illumination Ceremony for new AS&E undergraduate students), we encourage you to take these precautions. We also strongly encourage you to take these precautions if you visit communities in Massachusetts where risk of contracting EEE is classified as moderate, high, or critical by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Tufts will continue to monitor the evolving situation. Please review this Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health website for additional details, which may change over time.

With best wishes for a healthy start to the new year,

Marie Caggiano, MD, MPH
Director, Health Service
Tufts University

Michael R. Jordan, MD, MPH, FIDSA
Executive Medical Director, Occupational Health Services
Infection Control Director
Tufts University