Middleboro officials urge residents to take EEE risk 'seriously'

MIDDLEBORO — The state and the town are urging Middleboro residents to take serious precautions due to the elevated risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses in the area. 

The town is currently at a ‘high’ risk for contracting the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, or EEE, and a ‘moderate’ risk for West Nile Virus, according to the state. 

Two cases of EEE in humans and two cases in horses have been found in Plymouth County this year, according to the Department of Public Health. On Aug. 29, Middleboro town officials learned that an unvaccinated horse in Middleboro died after contracting EEE.

Town Manager James McGrail is urging “people to take the concern for EEE seriously and protect themselves,” he said after a statement was released informing town residents about the horse that was infected and what safety measures to take.

Middleboro’s Health Officer Kayla Smith stressed “how important the education [around these viruses] is,” and said “hopefully the public takes [the risk] seriously.” 

“Safety and the protection of the public is our main goal,” she noted. 

Aerial sprays to kill mosquitos were completed in several towns in Plymouth County, including parts of Middleboro, on Aug. 27. 

The sprays used a pesticide called Anvil 10+10, an Environmental Protection Agency registered chemical that has been used to control mosquitoes worldwide for over 20 years, according to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. 

Because extremely small quantities of the insecticide are applied during the spray, it is “unlikely that a person would be exposed to amounts that would cause adverse health effects,” officials reported. 

Officials said taking extra precautions during the sprays is for the most part “unnecessary,” but people with respiratory conditions, sensitivities to chemicals, or who want to minimize exposure should stay indoors.

Eating fruits and vegetables and drinking water from sources within spray zones is considered safe, according to the state.

Sprays were conducted between the hours of dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. 

At this time, no events in Middleboro have been canceled due mosquito-borne illness concerns, the town’s health department confirmed. 

Town officials urge residents to cancel or reschedule activities during the hours when mosquitoes are most active, wear long sleeves and pants and apply insect repellent when outdoors. 

Officials recommend using repellents with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus, according to instructions on product labels. Some of these chemicals should not be used on infants or toddlers and should be used in limited concentrations on older children. 

Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin, the town’s Health Department stated. 

Residents are also encouraged to drain any standing water in their homes that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and repair holes or install new screens in windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside. 

Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project performs truck-mounted sprays on streets per resident or town request made through phone, mail or fax.