08/30/2019
TOWN OF BRIMFIELD
Board of Health
Town Hall Offices •23 Main Street • Brimfield, MA 01010 • 413-245-4102 ext 3 •
IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8.30.19
Jamie Terry, Health Agent
BRIMFIELD HEEDS WARNING FROM STATE AND POSTPONES ALL EVENING ACTIVITES AND SPORTING EVENTS
EEE risk levels in Brimfield raised to High
BRIMFIELD – Town Officials discussed the appropriate next steps after the State Department of Public Health (DPH) elevated the mosquito-borne illness risk level in the Town of Brimfield to High late Thursday afternoon. This elevation occurred primarily due to the Town’s proximity to the Town of Brookfield where a horse was recently diagnosed with EEE. Based on recent arbovirus findings including EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) infection in horses, the mosquito-borne illness risk level in the Town of Brookfield was elevated to critical on Thursday, August 30, 2019. Due to their proximity to the Town of Brookfield, area Towns (including Brimfield) were elevated to high risk for mosquito-borne illness. Risk from mosquitoes is expected to remain elevated until after the first hard frost.
As a result, until further notice all organized evening outdoor athletic events will be rescheduled and/or postponed. School officials are currently working on these details and will release information as soon as it is available.
There are currently 28 communities in Massachusetts listed in critical risk categories, 37 (including Brimfield) listed in high risk, and 126 communities listed at moderate risk.
EEE can infect people of all ages. EEE is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of EEE infection include headache, high fever, and chills. These symptoms may quickly escalate to changes in consciousness and seizures. EEE is a serious disease in all ages and can even cause death. If you or someone you know develops any of these symptoms please seek medical attention immediately.
There have been confirmed human cases of EEE in Massachusetts this year. EEE activity in 2010, 2011 and 2012 raised public concern and prompted DPH to work with a panel of experts to evaluate and enhance the State’s surveillance and response program. It is expected that this surveillance response will continue to expand with the EEE positive results found in Brookfield.
In order to reduce the risk it is imperative to be vigilant about practicing personal protective behaviors (e.g. using repellent, ensuring screens are in adequate repair, and wearing clothing that covers your skin while outdoors). Source reduction (e.g. removing potential breeding sites, such as garbage cans, flower pots bird baths, discarded auto-tires or other containers that hold water) is most useful for decreasing the mosquito breeding areas and therefore reducing the potential for EEE infected mosquitos.
People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
• Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
• Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or
discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
More information, including updates, a map of risk levels across Massachusetts, and a question and answer guidance document please see the Mosquito-Borne Disease Information web page at https://www.mass.gov/guides/aerial-mosquito-control-summer-2019 or by calling the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.
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