EEE found in primarily bird-biting mosquito in New Bedford Business Park area

NEW BEDFORD – EEE was found in a primarily bird-biting mosquito in the New Bedford Business Park area Monday, according to health officials.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified regional health officials of the Aug. 26 detection of Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, according to a press release. It is New Bedford’s first of the summer.

The state’s risk level for EEE in New Bedford remains low. However, the state’s risk level for EEE is moderate area in towns, including Dartmouth, Westport, Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Wareham, amid rising occurrences in much of Massachusetts.

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. On Aug. 16, the DPH announced the state’s first human case of EEE virus infection this year, after a man in his 80s was exposed in Worcester County. During the last EEE outbreak in Massachusetts, in 2019-20, there were 17 human cases and seven deaths, according to DPH.

West Nile also detected in New Bedford

Last week’s tests also detected West Nile in a sample near Rural Cemetery in a primarily bird-biting mosquito. The location of the Aug. 21 collection in the Rural Cemetery area does not diminish the possibility of mosquitoes carrying the virus elsewhere in the city, as mosquito habitat is common throughout the region, according to the release.

The state’s risk level for West Nile in New Bedford remains moderate, which calls for heightened preventative measures such as emptying standing water around homes, using approved insect repellents and wearing appropriate clothing when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk.

West Nile virus is a mosquito-carried virus that can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious disease. It is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Positive samples not uncommon in summer months

Positive mosquito samples for West Nile are not uncommon in the summer months and have been found in numerous surrounding communities in recent weeks. West Nile also has been found in several parts of New Bedford, which is now seeing sustained activity for the virus.

Residents are advised to take precautions during outdoor activities and remain vigilant throughout the summer months.

Additional spraying will be conducted

Accordingly, the Bristol County Mosquito Project is conducting additional targeted ground-spraying this week near the Rural Cemetery and the Business Park.

The spraying will supplement the county’s normal weekly ground-spraying, which occurs seasonally from early June through September and targets parks and other locations that host large public events. Weekly sprayings occur every Thursday during the summer between 2 a.m. and sunrise, in locations around Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Common Park, Ashley Park, Wing’s Court, Custom House Square, and other parts of downtown.

Residents near targeted areas may want to close their windows in the evenings prior to spraying, before going to bed. In the event of inclement weather, spraying will be moved to early Friday morning.

The annual monitoring program sees crews place traps and collect specimens to monitor the mosquito population through the summer months. It also helps track whether any mosquitoes are carrying EEE or West Nile virus.

How to take precautions

The New Bedford Health Department recommends these precautionary measures to help protect yourself from mosquito bites:

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours: While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.
• 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 2 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 3 years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
• 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 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.
• Install or Repair Screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tight-fitting screens on all windows and doors.

For more information and the state’s risk-level map, visit: http://www.mass.gov/info-details/Massachusetts-arbovirus-update

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: EEE found in primarily bird-biting mosquito in New Bedford Business Park area