For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 16, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Andover Health Division Alerts Community after Mosquitoes Test Positive for EEE

ANDOVER —  Director of Public Health Thomas Carbone, Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Patrick Keefe, Fire Chief Michael Mansfield and Town Manager Andrew Flanagan seek to provide residents with information and safety reminders after mosquitoes in Andover tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

The Andover Health Division was notified Friday that two mosquito pools in the Abbot Street area tested positive for the EEE virus. The mosquitoes tested were trapped on Aug. 13 and were of a species that is known to bite humans.

As a result of these positive tests, the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District is deploying a supplemental mosquito trap to the area this weekend. Larvicide will also be deployed in the coming days.

The Andover Board of Health will meet Monday evening to discuss the positive test results. It is anticipated that adult mosquito spraying from truck based applicators will occur in a targeted area on Tuesday night or Wednesday if there is rain on Tuesday. A state entomologist will also attend the Board of Health meeting as a resource.

Residents can view the Town of Andover’s arbovirus response plan here.

As always, the Andover Health Division urges all residents to read and follow these important safety tips:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• 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. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
• Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus 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. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed 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 water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the EEE virus is a rare cause of brain infections or encephalitis. Very few human cases are reported across the U.S. each year, but EEE can be fatal or leave victims with serious complications and neurological problems.

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