Oxford Board of Health

10/03/2024

Important Update Regarding Eastern Equine Encephalitis From State DPH and Oxford Board of Health. There has been a change in Risk Status for Town of Oxford Announced! Town is now placed at Moderate Risk for EEE. Welcome news! Please read announcement from BOH Chairperson. Thank you to everyone for their cooperation!

09/30/2024

09/11/2024

Register now for your flu shot! Link in the comments

08/29/2024

Truck based mosquito spraying in Oxford has been completed.

This mapping tool can be used to view the planned spray area, to determine whether a specific location is inside the spray area, or to see exactly which areas were sprayed.

08/28/2024

Truck based mosquito spraying per the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), occurred in Oxford yesterday evening. To view the areas that were sprayed go to https://massnrc.org/spray-map/Region/Map/1034. Spraying will continue this evening and same recommendations apply. For more information you can go to: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mosquito-control-and-spraying.

08/27/2024

Attention residents, additional information:

State organized truck-mounted ground spraying for mosquito control will begin this evening, August 27th in Oxford and the surrounding towns of Douglas, Dudley, Sutton & Uxbridge. This is in response to the EEE virus being identified in mosquitoes in the area.

TIMING: The ability to spray is weather-dependent, and the schedule may change. The spraying will be done over several nights. Residents are encouraged to visit the Mosquito Spray Map at https://massnrc.org/spray-map/Region/List for the latest updates on spraying in their communities. These maps will be updated daily to reflect the areas that were sprayed the night before. The spraying applications will begin at dusk and continue until approximately 4:30am the next morning.

PESTICIDES: Mosquito control professionals apply a pesticide approved for this use as an ultra-low volume (ULV) spray. ULV sprayers dispense very fine aerosol droplets that stay aloft and kill adult mosquitoes on contact. The pesticides used during applications are extensively tested and used in both ground-level and aerial spraying in the U.S. to control mosquitos. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has evaluated these pesticides for their safety and has determined that they do not pose an unreasonable risk to birds or mammals if used according to the product label directions. However, these pesticides are toxic to land-dwelling and water-dwelling invertebrates (e.g., dragonflies, beetles) and fish. There is less risk to fish in larger ponds and minimal risk to large natural water bodies. Those with small ornamental fishponds in their yards may want to cover them during the night of spraying. These fishponds can be uncovered in the morning after spraying has been completed.

PRECAUTIONS: You do not need to take any special precautions to prepare for the spraying. It is unlikely a person would be exposed to amounts of this pesticide that could cause adverse health effects.

• The spraying is not expected to have any impact on surface water or drinking water.
• Consumption of vegetables and fruits grown in the treated area or drinking water that might be taken from surface water bodies near spraying operations is considered safe.
• Livestock may remain outside during the spray and may continue to graze in treated areas.
• No special precautions or waiting periods are needed for outdoor swimming pools.

The spraying will be conducted at night and the ingredients of the pesticide product used for aerial application for mosquito control generally break down quickly and leave no residue. Although not necessary for most people, there are extra steps that can be followed in areas where spraying is scheduled to take place. Those with known sensitivities to chemicals or with existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are encouraged to stay indoors during spraying to reduce the chances of aggravating those conditions. Other steps that may be considered include:

• Those in the spray areas can close windows and turn off fans that pull air from the outside. Shut off air conditioners or use a setting for recirculating indoor air.
• Bring pets indoors during spraying.
• If clothes or outdoor items are exposed during spraying, wash them with soap and water.

If you believe you may be experiencing any health effects from pesticides, call our healthcare provider or the Massachusetts Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

For more information on mosquito control and spraying please visit:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mosquito-control-and-spraying

08/27/2024

Per the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Oxford will be one of five communities within Southern Worcester County receiving truck-based spraying due to the critical risk of EEE. Truck based spraying will begin at dusk on Tuesday, August 27th and go through the night and may occur over several evenings.

The map for Southern Worcester County aerial spraying can be found here: https://massnrc.org/spray-map/Region/Map/1034

For more information, please read the following press release from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources: https://www.oxfordma.us/DocumentCenter/View/1774/MDAR-Spraying-Press-Release.

For further information on the pesticide being used for truck based spraying, along with resources regarding its safety and any precautions to take for yourself and animals, please visit: www.mass.gov/info-details/mosquito-control-and-spraying.

As always, feel free to contact our office at [email protected] or 508-987-6045 ext 5 with any additional questions.

08/22/2024

08/19/2024

Attention Residents ‼

The first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has been reported in Worcester County this year. This has raised the risk level in Oxford, Webster, Sutton, & Douglas communities to critical‼

In addition, the risk level in Dudley, Northbridge, and Uxbridge has been raised to high. The neighboring communities of Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Southbridge, and Upton are now considered at moderate risk.

This is the first time a person has been infected with EEE in Massachusetts since 2020. Residents are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in these communities‼

EEE is a serious and potentially fatal disease that affects people of all ages. It is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Do your best to:

➡️Avoid mosquito bites - apply insect repellent when outdoors
➡Be aware of peak mosquito hours - from dusk to dawn
➡Wear protective clothing - long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors
➡Drain standing water - where mosquitoes lay their eggs
➡Install or repair screens - to keep mosquitoes outside
➡Protect your animals - by eliminating standing water from containers, especially after heavy rain

Board of Health

08/16/2024

Oxford is now considered at critical risk for EEE. Please take all proper precautions. To learn more go to https://www.mass.gov/info-details/eee-eastern-equine-encephalitis

EEE risk levels elevated in multiple communities

08/14/2024

As COVID numbers are currently on the rise, we have received additional COVID-19 test kits for our residents. Come by Town Hall to grab one if needed. Feel free to contact our office at 508-987-6045 ext 5 with any questions.

08/13/2024

🚧 TRAFFIC ALERT: Railroad Repairs on Sutton Ave 🚧

Attention, Oxford Community:

Please be advised that starting Sunday at 6 AM, there will be railroad repairs occurring on Sutton Ave between Park St. and Main St. The work is expected to conclude on Tuesday, the 20th.

Important Traffic Information:

WEST OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS: No traffic will be able to travel east past the railroad tracks on Sutton Ave. Please seek alternate routes.

EAST OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS: No traffic will be able to travel west past Park St. Additionally, all side streets close to this area will be closed to through traffic, so alternate routes are necessary.

We understand this is an inconvenience to local businesses and those who travel through Oxford. However, this repair is essential, and we have worked hard to minimize the impact on our community.