The Department of Public Health is moving on multiple fronts to address the elevated risks of mosquito-borne illnesses this year, including spraying pesticides from trucks in southern Worcester County and from planes in Plymouth County starting this week.
The truck-mounted and aerial spraying is meant to address the potential risks of the rare but serious Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus, which spreads from the bites of infected mosquitoes and can be fatal. There were 17 human cases of EEE and seven related deaths during the state’s last EEE outbreak, in 2019-2020.
DPH announced has announced one human case of EEE so far this year, a male in his 80s who was exposed in Worcester County, and there are 10 communities considered to be at high or critical risk for EEE activity.
The spraying will take place at night, starting shortly after dusk and ending in the early morning. DPH said more details would be available on its website. The aerial spraying zone includes Carver, Halifax, Kingston, Middleborough, Plymouth, Plympton, Rochester, and Wareham, and the truck-mounted spraying zone covers Douglas, Dudley, Oxford, Sutton, and Uxbridge.
“Due to the increased EEE risk and the first human case of the season, the state is taking decisive action to protect public health,” Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle, whose department partners with DPH on spraying operations, said. “Aerial spraying will target mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus. While these measures are crucial for reducing transmission risk, it’s vital for everyone to stay vigilant and follow personal protection guidelines to safeguard our community.”
The state uses the EPA-registered pesticide Anvil 10+10 for mosquito spraying, applying it using an ultra-low volume aerosol that DPH said uses very small quantities of the chemical. DPH said people with known sensitivities or respiratory conditions like asthma should stay indoors during the spraying, though…