The risk of Eastern equine encephalitis is high in Harvard and the towns of Ayer, Boxborough, and Littleton. The state’s Department of Public Health raised the level to high Thursday, Sept. 5, after discovering one additional case each of EEE and West Nile virus in nearby Middlesex County. “High” is level 4 out of 5 on DPH’s scale.
DPH raised the risk level from low to moderate in Groton, Shirley, Stow, Berlin, Bolton, and Lancaster.
To avoid mosquitoes, the DPH and the Harvard Board of Health recommend these steps:
- Use mosquito repellents with an EPA-registered active ingredient and dress in long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
- Be aware of peak mosquito hours (from dusk to dawn) and consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
- Drain standing water around your home and repair screens.
Board of Health Chair Libby Levison gave this advice to residents: “If you are outside and see mosquitoes, it is probably time to leave the area or go inside.” She added that the Harvard Board of Health gets frequent alerts about EEE and West Nile virus from the DPH. “The board will closely monitor the situation over the coming days,” she said.
For more information about EEE and West Nile virus and reports of current and historical EEE and West Nile virus activity in Massachusetts, go to www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.
