EEE

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

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

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.

###

State Officials Announce Aerial Spraying for EEE in Wrentham

⋅ City/Town News, Client News ⋅ , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Town of Wrentham
Kevin Sweet, Town Administrator
79 South St.
Wrentham, MA 02093

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

State Officials Announce Aerial Spraying for EEE in Wrentham

WRENTHAM — Town Administrator Kevin Sweet would like to notify residents that state officials announced yesterday that aerial mosquito spraying will be done in Wrentham and other Norfolk County communities over the next week.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) currently lists the risk level for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Wrentham as “moderate.” As of Wednesday, there have not been any samples that have tested positive for the virus in Wrentham.

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.

“While Wrentham’s risk level is currently considered ‘moderate,’ we still would like to see residents use precautions and avoid mosquito bites whenever possible,” Town Administrator Sweet said. “As of Tuesday, there were 36 communities at critical risk, 42 at high risk and 115 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts. This is an issue that nearly every community in the state is currently dealing with. We will be keeping a close eye on how things progress in our region and residents will be notified if there are any further updates regarding Wrentham.”

To view a searchable map of where aerial spraying will occur click here.

Town Administrator Sweet 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.

The other Norfolk County communities where aerial spraying will be done include: Bellingham, Franklin, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, Medfield, Walpole, Foxborough, Sharon, Norwood, Westwood, Dover, Needham and Wellesley.

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.

###

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

⋅ City/Town News, Client News ⋅ , , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

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.

###

Pentucket Regional School District Announces Outdoor Activity Restrictions Due to Postive EEE Tests in Mosquitoes

⋅ Client News, School News ⋅ , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Pentucket Regional School District
Superintendent Justin Bartholomew
22 Main Street
West Newbury, MA 01985

For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 6, 2019

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

Pentucket Regional School District Announces Outdoor Activity Restrictions Due to Postive EEE Tests in Mosquitoes

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew reports that Pentucket Regional School District is instating outdoor activity restrictions in response to positive testing for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)  in West Newbury.

All district outdoor sports practices and games on Pentucket Regional School District properties and public practice fields in West Newbury, Merrimac and Groveland, including Mill Pond/Pipestave Hill, will be held before dusk, postponed or rescheduled until further notice.

“Student health and safety is of the utmost importance to us all, and unfortunately in this case that means we need to keep our student athletes off of the fields and inside after dusk while the risk for EEE remains a concern,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “We encourage students and their families to take care to protect themselves against mosquitoes in the meantime, and follow safety recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.”

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 and Groveland, and more information about the date and time of that spraying will be released by the towns as it becomes available. To read a statement from West Newbury and Groveland officials about the positive tests and spraying, click here.

Pentucket officials urge students, their families and staff to adhere to the following 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.

###

1 2 3 4 5 >»