Eastern Equine Encephalitis Detected In Merrimack Valley Towns

ANDOVER, MA — The Andover Board of Health is expected to discuss positive tests for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in mosquitoes collected in town last week when it meets Monday night. The Massachusetts Public Health Department found the virus in mosquitoes collected in Andover and Lowell Aug. 13. In Andover, the mosquitoes were collected from two pools near Abbot Street.

Andover officials plan to spray for mosquitoes in the area on Tuesday and Wednesday night. The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District set new traps over the weekend and will apply larvicide in the area this week.

The agency will also spray in the area Tuesday between the hours of 8-11 p.m. If there is inclement weather, the spraying will be postponed one day.

The area being treated is bounded by Andover Street from Central to Woburn streets, Woburn Street from Andover Street to Spring Grove Road, Spring Grove to Abbot Street, to Eastman Road, and Abbot Bridge Drive, and all streets inside that boundary. Additionally, the town and Wetlands Management District are working together to conduct barrier spraying along town-owned athletic fields Aug 23. The fields will reopen Aug. 24.

While EEE cases in humans are rare, it can be fatal or cause serious neurological problems in humans. Andover Health Services posted tips on avoiding mosquito bites on its website, as well as a fact sheet on EEE.