Burlington Spraying After Positive EEE, West Nile Tests

BURLINGTON, MA — Residents on Evelyn Street, Partridge Lane, Independence Drive, Elm Avenue, Meadowvale Avenue, Evergreen Avenue, Lantern Lane and Wing Terrace in Burlington could expect truck-mounted spray trucks to pass through their neighborhoods Monday night. The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project was scheduled to conduct spraying between dusk and 11:30 p.m. after mosquitoes collected in Burlington tested positive for West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.

People should go or remain indoors when spray trucks pass through, as the pesticide sumithrin used in the spraying is slightly toxic, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The low levels of the chemical used in the application should not pose a significant risk to people and pets, the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project said.

The mosquitoes were collected Aug. 29 and the Burlington board of health has been urging residents to take precautions against mosquitoes since the results cam back last week. People over 50 are at the highest risk for contracting West Nile virus. While many people infected with the virus never experience symptoms, they can suffer fever and flu-like illnesses. In rare cases, the symptoms can be more severe.

While EEE cases in humans are rare, it can be fatal or cause serious neurological problems. Several towns have had mosquitoes test positive for EEE this season, and there have been a handful of reported human cases.