EEE Found in Mammal-Biting Mosquitoes in Canton

Mammal-biting mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Canton. 

 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Tuesday that EEE had been detected in mammal-biting mosquitoes in Canton. And, mammal-biting mosquitoes .

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, 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. 

Meanwhile, the risk level in the towns of Norwood, Westwood, Milton and Randolph, which neighbor Canton, are being raised from “low” to “moderate.” As with Stoughton, the towns of Dedham and Sharon, which also border Canton, will remain at “moderate,” according to the release. 

As a result of finding EEE in mammal-biting mosquitoes in Canton, “the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project will immediately intensify ground spraying in Canton and nearby communities,” according to the release.

“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 release states.

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,” Auerbach continued.

Commissioner Ed Lambert of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), which oversees the nearby Blue Hills Reservation, said “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. Canton was not on the list of towns to be sprayed, nor was Stoughton.

There have been no human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) or EEE so far this year, according to the release.

“EEE is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito,” according to the DPH. “EEE is a serious disease in all ages and can even cause death.”

The following are mosquito-related safety tips from the DPH:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 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.

• 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.

• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your 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 discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

• Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results from 2012, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.