Massachusetts health officials raised the risk levels on Thursday for mosquito-borne illnesses Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile Virus in several communities after announcing one new case of each virus. Both cases are men in their 70s in Middlesex County, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.One man was diagnosed with EEE, becoming the third person in the state to contract that disease this year. Acton’s Board of Health confirmed the EEE case was confirmed in their community. Another man contracted West Nile virus in a part of the county already designated to be at high risk for that disease. His case is the seventh human case of that virus in the state this year, MassDPH said.“Today’s announcement of additional West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis cases makes it clear that mosquito season is not over,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein.As a result, EEE risk levels are being raised to high in Acton, Ayer, Boxborough, Carlisle, and Littleton in Middlesex County; and Harvard in Worcester County. The following communities are being raised to moderate: Bedford, Billerica, Chelmsford, Concord, Framingham, Groton, Lincoln, Shirley, Stow, Tyngsborough, Wayland, and Westford in Middlesex County; and Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, and Lancaster in Worcester County.Acton officials said the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is scheduled to spray certain streets in Acton each Wednesday until Sept. 25.WNV risk levels in the following communities are being raised to high: Stoneham and Wakefield in Middlesex County.Link: DPH mosquito-borne virus risk maps“It is essential that residents continue to use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient every time they are outdoors,” said Goldstein. “We also strongly recommend that residents and towns in areas at high risk for EEE reschedule their evening outdoor events to avoid peak mosquito biting hours.”“Mosquito behavior starts to change in September,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “They will be less active during cooler temperatures. However, during periods of warmer weather, such as are being forecast for the end of next week, mosquitoes will be out and looking for their next meal.”Mosquito safety tips from MassDPH:Avoid Mosquito BitesApply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning in areas of high risk.Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.Mosquito-Proof Your HomeDrain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all windows and doors.Protect Your AnimalsAnimal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.
Massachusetts health officials raised the risk levels on Thursday for mosquito-borne illnesses Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile Virus in several communities after announcing one new case of each virus.
Both cases are men in their 70s in Middlesex County, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
One man was diagnosed with EEE, becoming the third person in the state to contract that disease this year. Acton’s Board of Health confirmed the EEE case was confirmed in their community.
Another man contracted West Nile virus in a part of the county already designated to be at high risk for that disease. His case is the seventh human case of that virus in the state this year, MassDPH said.
“Today’s announcement of additional West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis cases makes it clear that mosquito season is not over,” said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein.
As a result, EEE risk levels are being raised to high in Acton, Ayer, Boxborough, Carlisle, and Littleton in Middlesex County; and Harvard in Worcester County. The following communities are being raised to moderate: Bedford, Billerica, Chelmsford, Concord, Framingham, Groton, Lincoln, Shirley, Stow, Tyngsborough, Wayland, and Westford in Middlesex County; and Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, and Lancaster in Worcester County.
Acton officials said the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project is scheduled to spray certain streets in Acton each Wednesday until Sept. 25.
WNV risk levels in the following communities are being raised to high: Stoneham and Wakefield in Middlesex County.
“It is essential that residents continue to use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient every time they are outdoors,” said Goldstein. “We also strongly recommend that residents and towns in areas at high risk for EEE reschedule their evening outdoor events to avoid peak mosquito biting hours.”
“Mosquito behavior starts to change in September,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. “They will be less active during cooler temperatures. However, during periods of warmer weather, such as are being forecast for the end of next week, mosquitoes will be out and looking for their next meal.”
Mosquito safety tips from MassDPH:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning in areas of high risk.
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all windows and doors.
Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.
If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.
