Eastern equine encephalitis

King Philip Regional School District Announces Restrictions on Outdoor Activities Due to Aerial Mosquito Spraying

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King Philip Regional School District
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
18 King Street
Norfolk, MA 02056

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

King Philip Regional School District Announces Restrictions on Outdoor Activities Due to Aerial Mosquito Spraying

NORFOLK — Superintendent Paul Zinni reports that King Philip Regional School District is cancelling all outdoor activities after 6:30 p.m. due to mosquito spraying.

Aerial mosquito spraying is scheduled to take place locally throughout the weekend, and coupled with the threat of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), the district is restricting all outdoor activities after 6:30 p.m.

“The safety of our students and staff is of the utmost importance, and we’ve taken several measures to protect students from mosquitoes as concerns about EEE have risen throughout the state,” Superintendent Zinni said. “While aerial spraying remains ongoing, we are restricting outdoor activities to ensure all members of the King Philip community are safe.”

The King Philip Marching Band Preview Show at King Philip High School will still take place, and will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday instead of 6 p.m.

King Philip Regional School District conducted mosquito spraying at King Philip Middle and High Schools on Sunday, Sept. 1 through Tuesday, Sept. 3 using organic insecticide, and continues to encourage students and staff to wear bug repellent when spending time outdoors.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health currently lists the risk level for EEE in Plainville, Norfolk and Wrentham as “moderate.”

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 or over 50 years of age are at the greatest risk for serious illness.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases.

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Portions of Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury to Undergo Truck-Based Mosquito Spraying Today

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Sept. 9, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Portions of Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury to Undergo Truck-Based Mosquito Spraying Today

The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District will deploy truck based adulticide mosquito spray tonight in the above highlighted region. (Courtesy Image Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District)

WEST NEWBURY — West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, Newbury Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Michael Reilly and Groveland Finance and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski report that the Towns of Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury have been informed by the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District that portions of each community will undergo truck-based mosquito spraying tonight.

Two truck-based adulticide mosquito sprayers will be deployed to each town on Monday, beginning at 7:15 p.m. and ending at approximately 9 p.m.

The spraying will include the Frances A. Crane Wildlife Management Area west of Route 95 to Middle Street, south to Thurlow Street and north to Indian Hill Street. Officials have prepared a map to highlight the affected portion of town.

The towns of Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury are part of the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control District, a state agency that provides mosquito control activities to 36 communities in the region. Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury work collaboratively with the Mosquito Control District to identify response plans. The Northeast Mosquito Control District decides how to best deploy its resources to protect communities, including where spraying occurs in each town.

The Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District offers the following tips for residents ahead of spraying:

  • Please keep pets and children indoors during the hours of the spray.
  • Please refrain from nightly walks on the spray route during hours of scheduled spray activity.
  • Air conditioners left on are OK.
  • Close windows on the street side.
  • It is OK to re-open doors/windows and let pets out 15 minutes after spray is complete.

West Newbury and Groveland remain at a “moderate” risk classification for the transmission of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and Newbury remains at a “low” risk classification.

The Towns of Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury wish to sincerely thank the Mosquito Control District for its hard work in protecting the community.

As always, Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury officials urge all residents to read and follow these important safety tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Be aware of peak mosquito hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider limiting 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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Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury Town Officials Alert Communities to Positive EEE Tests

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Sept. 6, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury Town Officials Alert Communities to Positive EEE Tests

The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District will deploy truck based adulticide mosquito spray early next week in the above highlighted region. (Courtesy Image Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District)

WEST NEWBURY — West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, Newbury Police Chief and Emergency Management Director Michael Reilly and Groveland Finance and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski seek to provide residents with information and safety reminders after mosquitoes in West Newbury tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

The West Newbury Health Division was notified Friday by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) that two mosquito pools in the area of Ash Swamp on Ash Street tested positive for EEE. The mosquitoes tested were trapped on Tuesday, Sept. 3, and were of a species that is known to bite mammals.

The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District will deploy truck based adulticide mosquito spray early next week in West Newbury, Groveland and Newbury.

The spraying will include the Frances A. Crane Wildlife Management Area west of Route 95 to Middle Street, south to Thurlow Street and north to Indian Hill Street. The date and time of the spraying will be announced to residents by the Town of Groveland, Town of Newbury and the West Newbury Board of Health once it becomes available.

The West Newbury Board of Health will continue to work closely with the MDPH and the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District to determine whether outdoor activities will be restricted as a result of the positive testing, and to determine the extent of the mosquito spraying in town.

As always, Groveland, Newbury and West Newbury officials urge all residents to read and follow these important safety tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

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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Newburyport Fire Department Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Area

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Newburyport Fire Department
Christopher LeClaire, Fire Chief
3 Greenleaf St.
Newburyport, MA 01950

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 6, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Newburyport Fire Department Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Area

Newburyport’s Current Risk Level is “Low”

NEWBURYPORT — Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Christopher LeClaire would like to offer safety tips regarding avoiding mosquito bites after multiple towns in Essex County have confirmed that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus was found in mosquito samples.

Recently, mosquitoes from Andover, Boxford and Methuen have tested positive for the virus.

EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 or over 50 years of age are at the greatest risk for serious illness.

“Although mosquitoes in Newburyport have not tested positive for EEE, we would still like to offer residents some tips to avoid being exposed to the virus,” Chief LeClaire said. “City officials will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates to residents as needed.”

Chief LeClaire recommends the following safety precautions offered by the MDPH to protect yourself and your loved ones:

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 at www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

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