Mosquito Season is Upon Us!

August 10, 2020

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has announced this year’s first human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV), a resident of Middlesex County in their 50s, and the first Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection, a male under the age of 18 who was exposed to EEE in Plymouth County.

To date this year, the EEE virus has been found in 40 mosquito samples and WNV in 30 mosquito samples, including in species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people. Last year, the Commonwealth experienced its most active EEE season since 1956, with 12 human cases and 6 deaths. EEE is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. EEE can cause severe illness and possibly lead to death in any age group; however, people under age 15 are at particular risk. EEE does not occur every year, but based on mosquito sampling, a high risk of occurrence of human cases currently exists in MA. The majority of people who are infected with WNV (approximately 80%) will have no symptoms. Less than 1% of people infected with WNV will develop severe illness, including encephalitis or meningitis. Persons older than 50 years of age have a higher risk of developing severe illness from WNV.

As of August 7th, in Middlesex County, EEE positive mosquitoes have only been detected in Pepperell, while WNV positive mosquitoes have been detected in Arlington, Belmont, Medford, Newton, and Watertown. No EEE or WNV positive mosquitoes have been detected in Bedford to date, as such, Bedford is currently at a low-risk level for EEE and WNV. Bedford did have EEE positive mosquitoes last season, generating an elevated EEE risk level and, as of September 7, 2019, implementation of restrictions on outdoor activities between dusk and dawn as part of a town-wide disease prevention strategy. There were no human cases of EEE in Bedford last year.

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Aerial Spraying planned in some areas of MA

“As several communities in Southeastern Massachusetts are at elevated risk for EEE and this season’s first human case has been confirmed, the Commonwealth is acting to protect the public by conducting aerial spray operations to reduce the population of mosquitoes that transmit the EEE virus,” said State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board Chair and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux. “While spraying for mosquitoes can reduce but does not eliminate the risk of EEE transmission, we ask the public to be vigilant and take care to follow personal protection practices.”

Aerial spraying is scheduled to begin today, August 10th in the following 25 communities: Bridgewater, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester, Rockland, Wareham, West Bridgewater, and Whitman in Plymouth County, and Acushnet, Easton, Raynham, and Taunton in Bristol County. The exact locations where spraying will occur are subject to change, and the final spray map for each day of spraying can be found here: https://massnrc.org/spray-map/Region/List

“EEE is rare, but it is a serious medical illness, and we remind residents of the need to protect themselves from mosquito bites as EEE activity increases,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “The best prevention continues to be using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, weather permitting, and avoiding outdoor activity between the hours of dusk and dawn in the highest risk areas.”

Mosquito Control in Bedford on Tuesday, August 11

The Bedford Board of Health (BOH) continues to work with the MDPH and the Eastern Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (EMMCP) to monitor local mosquito populations for WNV and EEE. To control mosquito larvae, each spring EMMCP conducts a helicopter application of biological larvicide to wetland areas in town and annually each summer the Bedford DPW treats catch basins in town. Additionally, based on acquired surveillance data from four mosquito trap locations in town, the EMMCP will continue with truck-mounted spraying events in Bedford to reduce populations of biting adult mosquitoes.

Moderately elevated mosquito populations have been identified in sections of Bedford this week. As such, a truck-mounted spraying event is scheduled for tomorrow night, August 11th between sunset and 11:30 pm in the vicinity of Concord Rd., Davis Rd., Carlisle Rd., North Rd., Wildwood Dr., and Gould Rd. If postponed due to weather, spraying will be rescheduled for the week beginning August 17, 2020.

Reduce your risk for mosquito bites

Residents have an important role to play in reducing the risk of WNV and EEE and protecting themselves and their loved ones by taking a few, common-sense precautions.

Mosquito proof your property – Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to develop by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains, empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently. Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of the windows and doors.

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. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.

Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long- sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] 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% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

For More Information

Information about mosquito activity in Massachusetts during 2020 can be found on the Mosquito-borne Disease page on the MDPH website at https://www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases.

Facts sheets on WNV, EEE, and other mosquito-related materials are available by contacting the Bedford BOH at 781-275-6507 or by accessing their website at http://www.bedfordma.gov/health.

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