EEE Threat Forces North Andover To Cancel Celebration

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover officials canceled "Rock the Block," an event that had been scheduled for Sept. 13 to mark the one-year anniversary of the Merrimack Valley gas disaster. While the town remains under a "moderate" risk level for Eastern equine encephalitis, the Town of North Andover, North Andover police, the North Andover Fire Department and Emergency Management made the decision to not hold the event.

"Out of an abundance of caution and while keeping a safety first mentality, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the Rock the Block Event," the town said in a notice to residents. "This was concluded upon after factoring in our Moderate EEE threat level, positive tests found in bordering communities (Andover, Boxford and Methuen), and the Board of Health’s recommendation to avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active."

North Andover began spraying for mosquitoes after Andover and Methuen were labeled as high risk areas for Eastern equine encephalitis by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The town is also recommending residents end outdoor activities by 7 p.m. through the month of September. North Andover Public Schools is adjusting sports schedules to comply with the recommendation.

No mosquitoes collected in North Andover have tested positive for EEE in regular testing conducted throughout Massachusetts. The town remains under the state's "moderate" risk designation. In addition to Andover and Methuen, mosquitoes carrying the disease have been collected in Boxford and Pelham, NH.

Neighboring Andover has posted additional information about EEE, the testing and spraying on its website. While EEE cases in humans are rare, it can be fatal or cause serious neurological problems. Andover Health Services posted tips on avoiding mosquito bites on its website, as well as a fact sheet on EEE.