WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State University has announced it will not hold outdoor activities from dusk til dawn, corresponding with the rise of the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus threat level having risen to "high" in the City of Westfield.

Westfield State athletics will be rescheduling games and team practices to coincide with the University's hours until further notice. 

As of Sept. 27, following events are being rescheduled:

Future schedule changes are possible, and will be announced on a rolling basis as the situation merits.  Any changes to Westfield State athletics schedules are posted on the team and composite schedules at WestfieldStateOwls.com as soon as announced.  When you visit a team schedule page, click reload or refresh on your browser to ensure the newest information.

Westfield State athletics has also made insect repellent spray available to all student athletes for outdoor practices, and recommends athletes wear their university-issued long-sleeve practice gear when possible.

"We have been keeping an eye on the EEE threat since it began to affect areas of the state, and have been keeping insect repellent available at all our games and practices this fall," said Westfield State athletic director Dick Lenfest.  "As soon as the city notified us that the threat was elevated we were prepared to move our events and practices as needed to reduce the risk for our student-athletes and fans as is recommended.  Many schools in New England have also modified their athletic schedules this fall."

According to Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), individuals should avoid mosquito bites by applying insect repellant when outdoors; avoiding outdoor activity between dusk and dawn; and wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Other precautions and information set forth by the DPH can be found by clicking here.