Mosquito spraying due to EEE to begin in Worcester County this week. Here's where.

After announcing the first case of Eastern equine encephalitis in the state this year, Massachusetts officials will begin mosquito spraying in Worcester County this week.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on Saturday that truck-mounted spraying for mosquitoes in areas of Worcester County starting Monday.

Truck spraying is a method for controlling and reducing the number of virus-infected mosquitoes in an area, according to the CDC . Trucks are fitted with special equipment to treat areas with insecticides to kill mosquitoes. However, truck spraying is not harmful to humans or pets.

Here's what to know about which areas will be sprayed for EEE mosquitoes.

Which towns will be sprayed for EEE?

Five towns in Worcester County will be sprayed for EEE mosquitoes this week, the Massachusetts DPH announced.

The truck spraying is expected to begin Monday, but exact timing has not been announced yet . It will occur at night, from shortly after dusk to early in the morning hours.

Some areas of Plymouth County will also be treated using aerial spraying.

The following towns in Worcester County will be sprayed:

• Douglas
• Dudley
• Oxford
• Sutton
• Uxbridge

Which pesticide will be used for EEE spraying? Potential risks for humans, pets and crops

Officials will be using the Anvil 10+10 pesticide for mosquito spraying.

It is applied with an ultra-low volume aerosol that uses small quantities of the insecticide, so it's unlikely that people would be exposed to a harmful amount of it, officials said .

The Massachusetts DPH said special precautions aren't necessary, but people who are sensitive to chemicals or who have respiratory conditions like asthma are encouraged to stay indoors during spraying.

Pets are also typically unharmed by the chemicals, but can be kept inside as a precaution.

Fruits, vegetables and other crops in the spraying area are considered safe to eat.

Critical and high risk areas for EEE

There are currently 10 towns or cities in Massachusetts with high or critical risk levels for EEE, according to the DPH .

The following areas are at critical risk for EEE:

• Douglas
• Oxford
• Sutton
• Webster

High risk areas:

• Carver
• Dudley
• Middleboro
• Northbridge
• Plymouth
• Uxbridge

What is EEE? How to stay safe

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious virus spread to humans who have been bit by an infected mosquito. The last human case of the virus in Massachusetts was in 2020.

About 30% of people infected with the virus die from it, according to the CDC . The symptoms can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness, the CDC says.

Protecting against mosquito bites is the best way to stay safe from EEE, the agency said. This includes using mosquito repellent , wearing clothing that covers skin and avoiding evening outdoor activities.

Is EEE contagious?

EEE is not contagious between humans as it can only be spread by infected mosquitos.

Both humans and horses are considered "dead end" hosts, according to the CDC , meaning they do not spread the virus.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mosquito spraying due to EEE to begin in Worcester County this week. Here's where.