Why
Mosquito Control?
Historically and up to the present day, mosquito control has
been necessary due to the fact that the biting annoyance caused by mosquitoes
impact the quality of life for citizens of Massachusetts. More importantly, the potential for
outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases is real.
The most important mosquito-borne diseases of concern in Massachusetts
are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV).
Generally speaking, EEE is considered endemic in the southeastern
portion of the state (Taunton River Basin) within the counties of Plymouth,
Bristol, and Norfolk. Although this disease appears sporadically, it is usually an annual concern
for citizens residing in the above-mentioned areas. Organized mosquito
control districts or projects and the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health perform surveillance to determine any evidence of the virus.
WNV appearing for the first time in the United States is a relatively recent disease problem. The
Massachusetts Department of Public Health has developed a plan to respond to
this new threat along with monitoring for its appearance.
The public is urged to follow all Massachusetts Department
of Public Health advisories concerning mosquito-borne disease risk each year. A
link to their web site has been provided as well as the Center For Disease
Control And Prevention.
http://www.state.ma.us/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
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