Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Aerial Spraying for Mosquitoes in Dighton-Area to Begin Thursday

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

Town of Dighton
979 Somerset Ave.,
Dighton, MA 02715

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Aerial Spraying for Mosquitoes in Dighton-Area to Begin Thursday

DIGHTON — Town of Dighton officials would like to notify residents about the following notice from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MPDH) and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) issued today:

For those who are in southeastern Massachusetts, please be advised that MDPH and MDAR have announced that due to the continued amplification of positive Eastern Equine Encephalitis mosquito samples in this part of the state, aerial spraying for mosquitoes will begin this Thursday.

Spraying will continue for several nights, weather dependent. Spraying is conducted in the evening and at night with aircraft flying at very low altitudes (100’+ above the top of the canopy).

Aerial spraying can help reduce the risk of EEE, but it does NOT eliminate it.

Communities that are either completely or partially in the spray zone include:

Bristol County:

  • Raynham
  • Taunton
  • Dighton
  • Berkley
  • Freetown
  • Acushnet
  • Easton
  • Norton
  • Rehoboth
  • Swansea
  • Fall River
  • Dartmouth
  • New Bedford
  • Fairhaven

Plymouth County:

  • Whitman
  • East Bridgewater
  • West Bridgewater
  • Hanson
  • Bridgewater
  • Halifax
  • Plympton
  • Kingston
  • Carver
  • Middleborough
  • Lakeville
  • Rochester
  • Brockton
  • Rockland
  • Hanover
  • Pembroke
  • Duxbury
  • Plymouth
  • Wareham
  • Marion
  • Mattapoisett

For current spray information, use this link:

https://www.mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019?fbclid=IwAR1BHhFS5-JLGg9Ygcr-7WfZD6Oka3oVphRLdBc_qvZQCediSelUOnRbAso

###

Marion Board of Health Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

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

Town of Marion
Town Administrator James McGrail
2 Spring St.
Marion, MA 02738

For Immediate Release
Friday, Aug. 2, 2019

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

Marion Board of Health Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

Marion’s Current Risk Level is ‘High’

MARION — Marion Health Director Karen Walega and Town Administrator James McGrail announce that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has been confirmed in mosquitoes tested in Marion.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has confirmed that the EEE virus has been detected in nine mosquito samples collected in Marion this year. As a result of the tests, the MDPH has announced that the current risk level for Marion is high.

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.

The Marion Board of Health recommends the follow 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 here.

###

Easton Fire and Police Departments Offer Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

⋅ Client News, Fire News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019

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

Easton Fire and Police Departments Offer Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

Easton’s Current Risk Level is ‘High’

EASTON — Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Kevin Partridge and Police Chief Gary Sullivan announce that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has been confirmed in mosquitoes tested in Easton.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has confirmed that the EEE virus has been detected in 27 mosquito samples collected in Easton this year. As a result of the tests, the MDPH has announced that the current risk level for Easton is high.

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.

Chief Partridge and Chief Sullivan recommend the follow 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 Easton Board of Health website here, and the MDPH website here.

###

Dighton Fire Department Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

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

Dighton Fire Department
Christopher Maguy, Chief
300 Main St.
Dighton, MA 02715

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Dighton Fire Department Offers Safety Reminders After EEE Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes in Town

DIGHTON – Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Christopher Maguy  announces that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus has been confirmed in mosquitoes tested in Dighton.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has confirmed that the EEE virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from the western part of Dighton.

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.

“During this time of year it’s great to be outside, especially in the early evening hours when the temperature begins to cool,” Chief Maguy said. “That is also the time that mosquitoes come out and start biting. Please be mindful of the peak hours that mosquitoes are out and make sure your young children are not exposed to bug bites while outside.”

Chief Maguy recommends the follow 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.

###

1 2 3