Shrewsbury – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced Wednesday, Sept. 21 that eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Shrewsbury. The mosquito-borne illness risk for Shrewsbury has now increased from “low” to “moderate” and spraying of affected areas was scheduled for Wednesday evening.
“EEE is a rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito,” stated Derek Brindisi, Director of Public Health. “In response to the detection of EEE the Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project will conduct a spraying this evening to reduce the number of mosquitoes in the affected area.”
For a complete list of streets being sprayed, please visit www.shrewsbury-ma.gov.
“The Town of Shrewsbury continues to work closely with the MDPH and other agencies, and is taking the appropriate measures to make residents aware of the situation,” Brindisi added. “It is not our intention to create a sense of panic in the community, yet to advise residents once again to take the simple precautions to protect themselves.”
Information about EEE and reports of EEE virus activity in Massachusetts during 2010 can be found on the MDPH website at http://www.mass.gov/dph/wnv. Recorded information about EEE is also available by calling the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 1-866-627-7968.
