Above: Although the health risks mosquitos pose are still low in Southborough, residents should continue to take actions to protect themselves (and be aware of regions where risks are higher.)
Most readers will have heard about Mass residents diagnosed with West Nile Virus and EEE. The risk maps have changed since I last reported on mosquitos carrying Arboviruses. But with more towns at moderate risk levels near us, and more high and critical risk areas in the state, it’s worth sharing an update.
The latest risk maps issued on September 12th show that the closest bordering towns with a moderate risk for WNV continue to be the cities of Marlborough and Framingham. But, those towns are also now shown at a moderate level for EEE. (Previously, the closest towns at that level were Grafton and Upton.) Our other direct neighbors are still low risk for either. (Click on images below for a closer look.)
While some residents worry about the WNV and EEE risks and want to know it is being sprayed for, I also hear from readers worried about pesticide spraying. On September 3rd, the Town posted the following announcement from the Central Mass Mosquito Control Project:
The standard residential spraying program will cease after Labor Day, but we will have staff ready to respond to EEE or WNV situations as needed. Additionally, we will try and service as many residents who have requested spraying prior to Labor Day into the second week of September (as evening temps allow).
The EEE virus and West Nile has been found in many areas in Mass. this year, with one EEE human cases to date. We are entering into the highest risk part of the season, a time where spraying interventions may not always be possible. Our surveillance staff will continue to trap, identify and test mosquitoes until MDPH ends the testing program, typically mid-October. Please continue to push the message of exercising caution when outside, using repellents and waring long sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible.
If virus is identified in your community, we will coordinate with your town/city to determine the appropriate response. Risk from mosquito-borne disease may be present even after spraying, and may be present until we have several widespread, killing frosts.
On our website we post weekly information from our arbovirus surveillance program: https://www.cmmcp.org/mosquito-surveillance-data. Please feel free to contact the CMMCP with any questions https://www.cmmcp.org/cmmcp-contact-information and logon to the website https://www.cmmcp.org/ for additional information.
