MOSQUITO HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR EEE FROM MANCHESTER SAMPLES. SPRAYING WAS PERFORMED ON SEPTEMBER 25TH.

Mosquito Spraying Follow-up               Thursday, September 26, 2019

On Wednesday 9/25/19, the Mosquito Control District completed a town wide spraying for mosquitoes.  The following morning, 9/26/19, there was a follow up discussion of the operation.  Four trucks were utilized and at the end of the spraying the team met to review their routes to ensure the entire town was covered.  They utilized a GPS system to verify that the entire town, including both public and private roads, was, indeed covered. 

It is important to remember that we remain at a Moderate risk level as defined by the Department of Public Health.  Over the past year we have tested some 10,000 mosquitoes with one positive result.  The positive mosquito was found weeks after the Manchester resident became sick, thus the Department of Public Health continues to express the opinion that he most likely contracted EEE in another town. 

Town wide spraying reduces our risk for EEE infections but it does not eliminate the risk. Only a two night hard frost will accomplish the eradication of mosquitoes and the risk of EEE. The mosquitoes come out at dusk.  As the sun starts to set they come out to feed.  To reiterate, this is the reason that the Board of Health voted to end all outdoor Town activities at 6pm.  As the days get shorter the time may change.  It remains important to wear appropriate clothing and use bug repellant anytime you are outdoors as your personal protection and responsibility to prevent bites.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the Board of Health office or Colleen Burns Brown RN, BSN the Town’s Public Health Nurse.  We will be happy to discuss any issues or concerns you may have regarding mosquitoes.

Again, a reminder of educational material:

What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis? 

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus.  The virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. 

What are the symptoms of EEE? 

The first symptoms of EEE are fever (often 103º to 106ºF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous and frequent serious complication. The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week.  If your child exhibits any of these symptoms contact their MD.

What can you do to protect yourself from EEE? 

Since the virus that causes EEE is spread by mosquitoes, here are some things you can do to reduce your chances of being bitten:

• When you are outdoors, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and socks. This may be difficult to do when the weather is hot, but it will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• If you are outdoors at dusk (now starting at 6pm) apply repellent.  **** The risk remains until the first hard frost. 

Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 (3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid) or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-

menthane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions given 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.

 What can you do at home?

1. Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.
2. Remove areas of standing water around your home.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Look around outside your house for containers and other things that might collect water and turn them over, regularly empty them, or dispose of them.
2. Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors so that water can drain out.
3. Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
4. Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
5. Change the water in birdbaths every few days; aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
6. Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers.
7. Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.

For more information please check these websites: 

            www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito

             www.nemassmosquito.org