Following the announcement that a man in his 50s from northeastern Bristol County is the eighth human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis [EEE] virus infection in Massachusetts, the state’s Dept. of Health [DPH] announced that 12 more towns in Massachusetts will be sprayed for mosquitoes with EEE virus — including nine towns in Worcester County.
Beginning as early as Monday evening, Sept. 16, the following Worcester County towns will be partially or fully sprayed over the course of the next week: Brookfield, Charlton, East Brookfield, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Warren, and West Brookfield.
“Even though it is September, it is still mosquito season,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “We continue to emphasize the need for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites.”
As ThisWeekinWorcester.com reported earlier this week, 29 other Worcester County communities are currently being sprayed.
In addition to the eight human cases of EEE this season, there have also been eight confirmed cases of EEE this year in animals – seven horses and a goat. There has also been one human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this season.
There are 35 communities now at critical risk, 38 at high risk, and 120 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts.
“MDAR continues to conduct aerial spraying and also supports the use of truck-based ground spraying as conditions allow this season,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “We continue to urge the public to use the insect repellants suggested by MA DPH, wear long sleeves and pants, and stay indoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.”
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