Massachusetts officials announced that 13 Massachusetts communities at high risk for a rare and dangerous mosquito-borne disease will be targeted for insecticide spraying this week. According to a release from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Agricultural Resources Agency, mosquito spraying to control Eastern Equine Encephalitis will take place between dusk and dawn this week. Aerial spraying will take place in the communities of Carver, Halifax, Kingston, Middleborough, Plymouth, Plimpton, Rochester and Wareham in Plymouth County. Trucks will be used for spraying in the communities of Douglas, Dudley, Oxford, Sutton and Uxbridge in Worcester County. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but deadly disease that can cause long-term physical and mental complications for survivors. “EEE can cause severe illness and death in any age group, but people under the age of 15 and people over the age of 50 are at particular risk,” a statement from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said. “While EEE does not occur every year, based on current evidence, there is a high risk of human cases occurring in 2024.” In Plymouth, city officials responded by announcing that they would close all public parks and fields from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are active. State officials said the spraying would use an insecticide called Anvil 10+10, an EPA-registered product. “No special precautions are required, but residents of affected areas who wish to avoid or minimize exposure can remain indoors during spraying,” the announcement said. “People with chemical sensitivities or respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, are advised to remain indoors during spraying to reduce the chance of worsening symptoms. Consumption of vegetables and fruits grown in sprayed areas and drinking water taken from surface water bodies near spraying operations are considered safe.” Public health officials also warned last week that eight areas are at high risk for transmission of West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne disease. The increased risk level applies to Boston in Suffolk County, and Abington, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Whitman in Plymouth County. The rest of Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties and parts of Barnstable, Berkshire, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Plymouth and Worcester counties are considered at moderate risk, according to DPH. There have been six human cases of West Nile virus in 2023, according to MassDPH. So far this year, there have been two human cases and no animal cases. While most people do not become seriously ill from the virus, health officials say it can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and people who have had organ transplants. These patients can develop a severe brain infection called encephalitis. Mosquito control tips from MassDPH: Avoid mosquito bites Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use repellents containing EPA-registered ingredients such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or lemon eucalyptus oil (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to product label directions. Do not use DEET products on infants under 2 months of age, and use no more than 30% on older children. Do not use lemon eucalyptus oil on children under 3 years of age. Be aware of the times of day when mosquitoes are most prevalent. The hours between dusk and dawn are when many mosquitoes bite most frequently. In high-risk areas, consider rescheduling outdoor activities to the evening or early morning. Clothing makes mosquitoes less likely to bite. Wearing long sleeves, pants, and socks outdoors helps keep mosquitoes away from your skin. Drain standing water that makes your home mosquito-proof. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites around your home by draining or discarding objects that hold water. Check gutters and drains. Empty unused flower pots and watering pools, and change the water in bird baths frequently. Install or repair screens. Install tight-fitting screens on all windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Shelter animals Animal owners should reduce mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water in buckets, tires, watering pools, and other containers, especially after heavy rains. Water tanks provide a perfect habitat for mosquito breeding, so they should be flushed at least once a week during the summer to reduce mosquito populations near pastures. Horse owners should keep their horses indoors in stalls at night to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Also, consult with your veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals, as well as vaccines to prevent West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis. If an animal is suspected to have West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis, owners should report it to the Department of Agricultural Resources’ Animal Health Section at 617-626-1795 or to Public Health at 617-983-6800.
Plymouth, Massachusetts —
Massachusetts officials announced that 13 areas at high risk for rare and dangerous mosquito-borne diseases will be targeted for insecticide spraying this week.
Mosquito control efforts to control Eastern Equine Encephalitis will be conducted between dusk and dawn this week, according to a release from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
Aerial spraying will take place in the following areas of Plymouth County: Carver, Halifax, Kingston, Middleborough, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester and Wareham. Trucks will be used to spray in the following areas of Worcester County: Douglas, Dudley, Oxford, Sutton and Uxbridge.
Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but potentially fatal disease that can cause long-term physical and mental complications in survivors.
“EEE can cause severe illness and death in any age group, but it is especially at risk in people under 15 and those over 50,” the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a statement. “Although EEE does not occur every year, based on current evidence, there is a high risk of human infection in 2024.”
In Plymouth, city officials announced they would close all public parks and open spaces from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
State officials said the spraying will use an insecticide called Anvil 10+10, an EPA-registered product.
“No special precautions are required, but people living in contaminated areas who wish to avoid or minimize exposure can remain indoors during spraying,” the release said. “People with chemical sensitivities or respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, are advised to remain indoors during spraying to reduce the possibility of exacerbating their symptoms. Consumption of vegetables and fruits grown in treated areas and drinking water taken from surface waters near spraying operations are considered safe.”
Public health officials also warned last week that eight areas are at high risk of transmission of West Nile virus, another mosquito-borne disease.
The high risk level applies to Boston in Suffolk County and Abington, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Whitman in Plymouth County. The rest of Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties and parts of Barnstable, Berkshire, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Plymouth and Worcester counties are considered at moderate risk, according to DPH.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Health, there have been six human cases of West Nile virus in 2023. So far this year, there have been two confirmed human cases, but no confirmed cases of zoonosis.
While most people who contract the virus do not become seriously ill, health officials say it can be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease and those who have had organ transplants. These patients can develop a severe brain infection called encephalitis.
Mosquito safety tips from MassDPH:
Preventing mosquito bites
Use insect repellent when outdoors. Use repellents containing EPA-registered ingredients such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or lemon eucalyptus oil (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to product label directions. Do not use DEET products on infants under 2 months of age and use at a concentration of 30% or less on older children. Do not use lemon eucalyptus oil on children under 3 years of age.
Be aware of the times when mosquitoes are most prevalent: dusk to dawn is when most mosquitoes bite. If you are in a high-risk area, consider rescheduling outdoor activities to the evening or early morning.
Clothing can help reduce your risk of mosquito bites: Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when you’re outdoors helps keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Protect your home from mosquitoes
Drain standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by draining or discarding any standing water. Check gutters and drains. Empty unused flower pots and watering pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or repair screens: Install tight-fitting screens on all windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
Protecting animals
Animal owners should reduce mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water in buckets, tires, wading pools and other containers, especially after heavy rains. Fish tanks are perfect breeding sites for mosquitoes, so they should be flushed at least once a week during the summer to reduce mosquito populations near pastures. Horse owners should keep their horses indoors in stalls at night to reduce the risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Also, talk to your veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccines to prevent West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.
If an animal is suspected to be infected with WNV or EEE, owners should report it to the Department of Agricultural Resources Animal Health Division by calling 617-626-1795 and to Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.
