WORCESTER – After the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced mosquito samples collected in the Burncoat area, rhe Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project (CMMCP) scheduled a truck-mounted pesticide spraying in the area areas scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11, after 7 PM, weather permitting.
DPH has not elevated its determination of the risk level of WNV in Worcester, where it remains at moderate.
Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms, although some may experience fever, flu-like illness, and—in rare cases—more severe illness.
Find maps of the area and a list of streets where spraying will occur at the bottom of this page.
Precautions to Take and Additional Information
Residents in the areas planned for spraying should take the following precautions.
- Close street-facing windows and turn off any “outside air” settings on air conditioners.
- Keep pets inside between sunset and midnight, and do not let children play near or behind truck-mounted applicators when they are in use.
- Remain inside during the application and for 15-20 minutes afterwards.
- Wash off any vegetables from home gardens after spraying and before consuming them.
Residents may opt-out of spraying of their property by visiting the Massachusetts state website.
To avoid mosquito bites and the diseases they can transmit, residents are encouraged to practice the 5 Ds:
- DRESS in long sleeves and pants when possible. Cover up during periods of mosquito activity.
- DEET is an effective insect repellent. Always follow the label instructions.
- DAWN & dusk are mosquitoes’ most active periods.
- DRAIN water from containers weekly. Avoid standing water, such as rain collecting in open bins, buckets, or toys.
Clothing treated with insect repellent is also available, and permethrin—the repellent commonly used—can be applied to treat clothing manually. Installing and repairing screens will help to keep mosquitoes out of homes.
See the state website, or call the MDPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800, for more information from MDPH, including all WNV and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) positive results in the state,
If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report it to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to MDPH by calling 617-983-6800.
CMMCP offers a variety of services such as ditch maintenance and abandoned swimming pool treatment. Residents may access forms for all service requests on the CMMCP website, or call 508-393-3055, Monday through Friday between 7 AM – 3:30 PM.
Information about the products and Integrated Pest Management program used by the CMMCP is available at its website.
CMMCP also publishes is spraying schedules, and specific areas to be sprayed will be posted both on its website and phone system (508-393-3055) each day after 3:30 p.m.
Streets expected to be sprayed in Worcester on Sept. 11:
- Ashburnham Road
- Barnard Road
- Belvidere Avenue
- Burncoat Park Road
- Burncoat Street
- Burncoat Terrace
- Clearview Avenue
- Davidson Road
- Kenwood Avenue
- Merton Road
- Millbrook Street
- North Parkway
- Park View Drive
- Wawecus Road
