More EEE Found in Surrounding Towns of Mansfield

Easton, Raynham, Taunton, Bridgewater,Norton and West Bridgewater will be having a second round of aerial mosquito spraying as more case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been found.

Mansfield, according to town health agent Scott Leite, is currently at a moderate risk level and has not discovered any positive results for EEE so far.

Ground spraying in Mansfield continues on town-owned property, as well as any street a neighborhood requests from the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project.

"There continues to be numerous mosquito pools [17 in Easton and 5 in Raynham] of EEE with high levels of viral infection," Leite stated in a press release. "The Town of Mansfield will continue to be part of the ground spraying program at this time."

While no horse or human cases have been detected at this time, EEE positive results have been found in mammal-biting mosquitoes. 

Leite stated that protecting oneself is a matter of common sense precautions.

"Personal protection and maintenance of your home and grounds will always be the first line of prevention," he said.

Here are some suggestions for helping to stay bite-free this summer:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.
• Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. 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-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions 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. 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Drain Standing Water - Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Clean clogged rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently. 

• Keep swimming pools properly chlorinated.

• Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of EEE activity in Massachusetts during 2012 can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at www.mass.gov/dph.