Easton Board of Health Rescinds Nighttime Curtailment Recommendation After Hard Frost

Hard frost Friday night ended Easton's "critical" threat level.

The Easton Board of Health announced Monday that there is no longer a need to curtail nighttime activities in response to a heightened Eastern Equine Encephalitis threat. Friday night's hard frost ended Easton's "critical" threat level, which had been in place since early August. EEE was first found in the Shovel Town in early July. Easton officials have recommended the curtailment of activities as a result. While the Board of Health enacted a regulation giving it the authority to ban night-time activities, it did not put the regulation into action. Below is a full message from Health Agent Mark Taylor: The Easton Board of Health would like to first thank all the residents, school groups and recreational organizations in town for their …

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State Officials Announce Seventh Human Case of EEE, Remind Residents to Take Caution

A Plymouth County resident was diagnosed with EEE.

A seventh human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis was found in Massachusetts yesterday. A Plymouth County male under the age of 18 was diagnosed with the virus, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced. It is the second human case from Plymouth County. Other human findings have been Middlesex, Worcester, Franklin and Essex Counties. Two of the human findings have resulted in death. So far, no human cases have been reported in Easton or anywhere in Bristol County. Easton has been labeled at a "critical" risk level, however, due to over 70 positive mosquito pools found in town. “Summer may be over but the threat of mosquito-borne illness is not — we can expect to continue seeing mosquito activity until the first hard …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Board of Health Member Responds to Criticism

A Letter to the Editor from Board of Health Member Gil Heino regarding proposed regulation.

I have been in Easton my whole life. I've served the town in a number of capacities and have never been so taken back by some people's vitriolic comments. I realize that once I comment, I will be subjecting myself to more insults by people who are unaware of the actual facts. However I can no longer sit back without commentating. The B.O.H. has worked many hours trying to resolve the problem Easton people may be facing. When we originally worked on this reg, it was done under the pressure of a critical alert with 55 Triple E mosquitos trapped in Easton alone. We did not have the time or state of mind to analyze each and every word that was put in the original draft. Since listening to the people of Easton's comments, we are in the process …

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EEE Found in Mammal-Biting Mosquitoes in Nearby Canton

Last week, bird-biting mosquitoes tested positive. Risk levels have been raised in surrounding towns because of the mammal-biting mosquitoes.

Mammal-biting mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in another town near Easton. After mammal-biting mosquitoes recently tested positive for EEE in Easton, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Tuesday that EEE had also been detected in mammal-biting mosquitoes in Canton. Last week, a bird-biting mosquito in Canton tested positive for EEE, but there was no change to the risk levels for mosquito-borne illness in Canton or in the surrounding towns as a result. However, now that mammal-biting mosquitoes have tested positive in Canton, the risk level has been elevated for some communities. These mosquito samples were collected July 20. As a result of finding EEE in mammal-biting …

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Question of the Day

Question of the Day: Will EEE Keep You Inside?

Will you hesitate before walking outside at night?

It's official. EEE season is here. Since Eastern Equine Encephalitis-infected mosquitoes were found near the Hockomock swamp earlier this month, the threat of the disease has only risen. Infected mosquitoes were found in Carver, again in Easton and in Canton, prompting state officials to commence aerial spraying in 20 towns south of Boston. Despite efforts to spray, Department of Public Health officials warn that precautions still need to be taken. The threat is certainly real. A Carver man died of the disease last year. But, how far is too far? Should we stay inside at night? Cancel all night-time events? Or just make sure we have an adequate arsenal of bug spray? What do you think, Easton? Will EEE keep you inside on summer nights? Tell …

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Massachusetts Department of Public Health Offers Tips to Avoid EEE

With aerial spraying set for next week, more precautions need to be taken, DPH says.

After announcing Tuesday that the state will conduct aerial spraying in 11 Massachusetts communities, including Easton, the Department of Public Health is stressing that further precautions to avoid Eastern Equine Encephalitis need to be taken by individuals in the community. “It’s important to note that aerial spraying can only reduce but not eliminate the threat of mosquito-borne illness in the areas that are sprayed,” said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach in a statement. “That’s why it’s so important for individuals in these communities to continue to take personal precautions against mosquito bites – both before and after aerial spraying is conducted.” The announcement of aerial spraying, which is scheduled to take place next Monday, …

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More EEE Positive Mosquitoes Found in Easton; Aerial Spraying to Occur

Aerial Spraying to Commence next Monday.

The state announced Tuesday that aerial spraying will occur in Easton and 10 other towns after more Eastern Equine Encephalitis positive mosquitoes were found on the Easton/Raynham line. The aerial spraying in Easton will begin on Monday, July 23, weather, night time air temperature, and wind speed permitting, Easton Health Agent Mark Taylor said in a statement Tuesday. "The Board of Health advises to curtail all night time activities one hour prior to dusk; the continued use of bug spray and long sleeves shirts and long pants are also recommended," the statement said. "The use of aerial spraying is a good combatant to this issue, however it is by no means a cure for this ongoing issue. Please continue these recommendations even after the …

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Ground Spraying Conducted at Hockomock Swamp; Aerial Spraying Still Up in the Air

After finding EEE in Easton this past week, the State is conducting more tests to determine if aerial spraying is needed.

  Easton Health Agent Mark Taylor said that extensive ground spraying was being conducted around the Hockomock Swamp Thursday morning by the Bristol County Mosquito Control in hopes to quell Eastern Equine Encephalitis infected mosquitoes. "The parts that they didn't get to this morning, they're going back to tomorrow" Taylor said Thursday. The Massachusetts Department of Health detected EEE in four mosquitoes in Easton last weekend. Two of the mosquitoes were "bird-biting" and two others were "mammal-biting." Because the overall mosquito population is low, there is an even higher infection rate, which is particularly concerning, Taylor said. While ground spraying persists around the swamp, aerial spraying is still up in the air. Taylor …

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EEE Detected in Easton

The deadly disease, carried by mosquitoes, was detected in Easton this week

  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Wednesday in a statement that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The mosquitoes that tested positive were found here in Easton, raising the area's threat of mosquito-borne illness from “moderate” to “high.” The DPH said two of the four positive mosquitoes were a "mammal-biting" kind of mosquito, which is cause for particular concern. Easton Public Health Agent Kristin Kennedy said residents can visit the Board of Health's website for additional information, and the site will be updated as more information is released. Below is a press release, with tips for staying safe, from the Massachusetts Department …

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'Triple E' Found in Easton

Board of Health warns of mosquito hazard.

A message from the Easton Board of Health: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced that EEE virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Easton.  In 2010, 3,558 mosquito samples were tested for EEE virus, and 65 positive samples were identified in Massachusetts.  Easton has had 5 EEE virus positive mosquito samples identified in 2011. EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.  By taking a few, common-sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones: Avoid Mosquito Bites Mosquito-Proof Your Home While the Easton …

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