A mosquito infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been found in Abington, state and local public health agents announced Friday.
As a result, Plymouth County Mosquito Control will be spraying in the northern area of town starting on Monday, August 5, Abington Public Health Nurse Lindsay Wright said.
Wright added that residents should ensure that there’s no standing water on their property in objects such as flower pots, outdoor furniture, kiddy pools, or old tires in order to limit areas where mosquitoes can breed.
“They love standing water, so as a community if we can do our best to make the environment … unwelcoming then we can try to lessen their population,” Wright said.
The EEE-infected mosquito was found among a group collected in the northwest corner of town on July 23, according to a joint release from the state Department of Public Health and Abington Health Department.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a virus most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.
According to DPH, EEE is a “very rare disease” but can be fatal. Since the virus was first identified in Massachusetts in 1938, just over 115 cases have been diagnosed, with the majority of cases occurring in Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties. Early symptoms include a fever, stiff neck, headache, and loss of energy. The most serious complication is brain swelling, which can result in a coma.
There are currently no reported human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Abington, public health officials said.
Last month, West Nile Virus was found in mosquitoes collected in the town’s southwest corner.
Plymouth Country Mosquito Control Spraying said in a release they will start spraying the northern end of town Monday, Aug. 5, between 2 a.m and 6 a.m. using truck-mounted sprayers. No exact map of streets to be sprayed is available.
Abington residents may request spraying of their area by calling 781-585-5450 or by mailing a request to 272 South Meadow Rd Plymouth, Ma). The agency updates its list of streets to be sprayed by 3 p.m. on its website:
Requests to exclude properties can be made here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/how-to-request-an-exclusion-or-opt-out-from-wide-area-pesticide-applications
Health officials in Abington made the following suggestions to prevent against mosquito bites:
- Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors.
- Clothing can help- Wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitos away, although this may be difficult during the warmer weather
- Be aware of peak mosquito hours – the hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening and early morning hours
- Mosquito proof your home: drain standing water – Many 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.
- Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
- Install or repair screens – Keep mosquitos outside by having tightly fitting screens on all your windows and doors.
More tips can be found on the Mass. DPH website.