NOTICE: Mosquito Spraying in Brockton In mid-June 2013, the City of Brockton executive Health Officer requested that Plymouth County Mosquito Control start their truck spraying for mosquitoes commencing the last week of June 2013. During the last week of June and the first week of July, all schools, playgrounds, ball fields, golf courses, the Brockton fair grounds, and the Brockton High School complex including the Rox Stadium, were sprayed for mosquitoes. In mid-July, Dan Daly, Community Liaison for the Plymouth County Mosquito Control (PCMC) informed the Brockton’s Executive Health Officer, Louis E. Tartaglia,, Jr. that they were raising our risk level from low to moderate because of the number of positive West Nile Virus (WNV) mosquito pools found in abutting towns, and that PCMC was to start extensive ground spraying in these towns and in Brockton commencing the third week in July. During the same week, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health State Laboratory informed the Brockton Health Department that a mosquito pool located in the City tested positive for West Nile Virus. To date (August 7th, 2013), no mosquito pools in Brockton have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Although the positive mosquito samples are the bird biting type rather than the mammal biting type, the City of Brockton Board of Health still recommends residents curtail outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, wear long sleeves and long pants, and apply an insect repellent that contains DEET. Louis E. Tartaglia, Jr., the Executive Health Officer has not ordered the cancelation of outdoor activities as of yet. West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis are serious illness spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes. While WNV and EEE can infect people of all ages, people over age 50, people with compromised immune systems and children are at greatest risk for serious illness. Any resident may call Plymouth County Mosquito Control at (781) 585-5450 to require that their street or neighborhood be sprayed. People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illness caused by mosquitoes: 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 percent 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 sleeve, 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 rains. 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 form 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. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, the Division of Animal Health, by calling (617) 626-1795 and the Department of Public Health (DPH), by calling (617) 983-6800.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 01:36:23 +0000