EEE Found in Mammal-Biting Mosquitoes in Neighboring Canton

Mammal-biting mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in another town neighboring Sharon.

After mammal-biting mosquitoes , the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that EEE had also been detected in mammal-biting mosquitoes in Canton.

Last week, , but there was no change to the risk levels for mosquito-borne illness in Canton or in the surrounding towns as a result.

However, Sharon's risk level remains moderate, the DPH said in a press release.

However, now that mammal-biting mosquitoes have tested positive in Canton, the risk level has been elevated for some communities. These mosquito samples were collected July 20.

Canton's risk level has now been raised to "high," according to a release from the DPH.

The risk level in the towns of Norwood, Westwood, Milton and Randolph, which neighbor Canton, are being raised from "low" to "moderate." Like Sharon, the towns of Dedham and Stoughton, which also border Canton, will remain at "moderate," the DPH said. 

As a result of the latest news, "the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project will immediately intensify ground spraying in Canton and nearby communities," the DPH said.

"Public health officials remind residents to continue to practice personal protection measures and recommend that communities designated as 'high' risk curtail evening events for the remainder of the summer," the agency said.

Even in those towns with only a moderate risk of mosquito-borne illness, DPH officials urge residents to take caution.

"The risk still exists and that personal protection measures such as bug repellent, wearing long sleeved clothing and staying indoors during peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn are essential," DPH Commissioner John Auerbach said in the release.

"We will continue to monitor the risk of EEE as mosquito trapping and testing occurs throughout the region this season."

Commissioner Ed Lambert of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, which oversees the nearby Blue Hills Reservation, said that "We are asking that all visitors to the Blue Hills curtail outdoor activity at dusk."

Aerial spraying for mosquitoes took place over the weekend in 21 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts, including Easton. Sharon was not on the list of towns to be sprayed, nor was Canton.