Framingham Warns Trick-Or-Treaters To Defend Against EEE

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Halloween in Framingham is not being canceled, as Mayor Yvonne Spicer told WEEI on Wednesday — but city officials would like locals to take precautions this year due to the risk of Eastern equine encephalitis.

The city issued a tip sheet on Thursday for local families on how to stay safe from mosquito bites. The risk of contracting EEE will remain until the first "hard frost" — temperatures at or below 28 degrees for at least four hours. There was a soft frost last Saturday, but that's not enough to eradicate the local mosquito population.

"We ask that all residents remain vigilant when it comes to mosquitoes and the risk of EEE when trick-or-treating on Oct. 31,” Framingham Health Department Director Dr. Samuel Wong said in a statement. "Those who want to trick-or-treat after dusk should wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, socks, and shoes, and apply proper insect repellents before heading out for the evening."

A story in the MetroWest Daily News this week pondered whether local towns and cities would cancel Halloween due to the EEE threat. But before that, a Framingham official told a reporter she "can’t speculate" whether the city would call Halloween off. A Framingham blog reported there was an ordinance "racing through" the health department to ban Halloween with a $100 penalty attached. Spicer told WEEI the story was "fake news."

"Framingham has not canceled Halloween, and that has not even been a point of discussion," Spicer told WEEI on Wednesday. "We just want to make sure people are safe."

If you really want to stay safe from EEE, Framingham’s City Hall will be open on Oct. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. for trick-or-treating.