MDPH Raises EEE Risk Level to Moderate for Worcester
For Immediate Release:
8/23/2019 4:20 pm
Based on recent EEE activity and/or positive mosquito detections, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has raised the EEE risk level to moderate for the following communities: Auburn, Avon, Bedford, Bellingham, Blackstone, Charlemont, Douglas, Hudson, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Millville, Natick, Oxford, Rowe, Shelburne, Sherborn, Sudbury, Wayland, Webster, and Worcester.
The following communities have been raised to high risk: Ashland, Holliston, Hopedale, and Milford.
The following communities have been raised to critical risk: Colrain, Heath, Mendon, and Uxbridge.
Please refer to the mosquito results website to view risk levels: www.mosquitoresults.com. For all the latest updates from MDPH, please visit: www.mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019. A fact sheet on aerial mosquito control to reduce the risk of EEE is available here.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will conduct aerial spraying in specific areas of Worcester and Middlesex Counties. Spraying is anticipated to begin on Monday, August 26, and continue over several evenings. The ability to spray is weather-dependent and the schedule may change. A tentative spray map for Monday night is available here.
The City of Worcester strongly encourages residents to take personal protective actions to avoid mosquito bites.
Practice the Five D’s of prevention:
- Avoid being outdoors during DAWN and DUSK, when mosquitoes are most active; DRESS in long-sleeved clothing; use insect repellent with DEET; and DRAIN any standing water from around your home.
Tips for avoiding mosquito bites:
- 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. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.
- Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
- Apply insect repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] 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.
Mosquito-proof your home:
- Drain 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. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently. All property should be maintained to prohibit the formation of stagnant pools of water, which may attract and harbor mosquitoes and other insects. Properties with these conditions can be reported to the Department of Inspectional Services via the City’s customer service center at 508-929-1300.
- Install or repair screens - Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
