For Immediate Release - August 02, 2012

State Health Officials Identify EEE-Positive Mosquitoes in the Town of Middleborough

Risk level for EEE elevated to high; Ground spraying to intensify in coming days

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been found in mammal-biting mosquitoes in the town of Middleborough. As a result, the town’s risk level has now been raised to “high” and ground spraying will intensify in Middleborough and nearby communities in coming days.

Public health officials remind residents to continue to practice personal protection measures and recommend that communities designated as “high” risk curtail evening events for the remainder of the summer.

The mosquito samples were collected July 25 in the town of Middleborough. As a result, the risk level in the towns of Halifax, Plympton and Wareham, which neighbor Middleborough, are being raised from “low” to “moderate.”

"EEE continues to be a concern throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. Taking personal precautions such as bug repellent, wearing long sleeved clothing and staying indoors during peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn are advised for all residents," said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach. “DPH will maintain its robust mosquito trapping and testing program to monitor risk this season.”

There have been no human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) or EEE so far this year. There were two cases of EEE in August of last year acquired in Massachusetts; a fatal case in a Bristol County man and an infection in a tourist from out of state. EEE activity in both 2010 and 2011 raised public concern and prompted DPH to work with a panel of experts to evaluate and enhance the state’s surveillance and response program. EEE is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE is a serious disease in all ages and can even cause death.

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 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.
  • 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.
  • Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • 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 discarding 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. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools — especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results from 2012, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800. The findings of the DPH Eastern Equine Encephalitis Expert Panel can be found here:

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