July 30, 2010

Protect Against EEE

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 that the risk for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in people has increased in a large part of southeastern Massachusetts (although Walpole was not included in this area). Due to EEE positive mosquito samples and the death of a horse from EEE in Middleborough, Lakeville and Middleborough were already considered to be at high risk for human disease. On Tuesday, the high risk area was expanded to include the towns of Acushnet, Berkley, Bridgewater, Carver, Duxbury, Fairhaven, Freetown Halifax, Kingston, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Plympton, Raynham, Rochester and Taunton. The towns immediately surrounding that area are at moderate risk.

Even though Walpole was not included in the high or moderate risk categories, residents should be aware of some common-sense precautions, they can take now to protect themselves and their loved ones.

• 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 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.

• Drain Standing Water - 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 Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

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 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.

The Walpole Health Department continues to work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project to monitor the mosquito population and to mitigate the mosquito population.

Information about EEE and reports of EEE virus activity in Massachusetts during 2010 can be found on the MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph under A for arbovirus in the Health Topics A to Z index. Recorded information about EEE is also available by calling the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968).

You can also find very useful information on the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project’s website at www.massnrc.org/ncmcp/. You can schedule your area for ULV spraying by going on its website or by calling 617-582-6216 after 3:30 P.M on Tuesday evenings (the evening before Walpole is sprayed) to check whether or not your street will be sprayed. The website also has weekly mosquito activity reports that you can read plus a lot of useful information.