Hingham Schools Plan Mosquito Spraying To Prevent EEE

Just days after a Plymouth County man was diagnosed with EEE, the Hingham Public Schools announced that they will be conducting a pesticide spraying on school fields and grounds to keep children safe from the mosquito-related illnesses.

The sprayings will be conducted by the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project early Thursday morning from 3-4 a.m. at all six Hingham Public Schools.

The Department of Agricultural Resources sent home a notice to all parents, alerting them of the pesticide spraying.  The bulletin explained that the spraying would be conducted by certified workers who have a valid Pesticide Bureau Applicator license.

Plymouth River School Principal Chuck Cormier told parents in an email  that the spraying is very safe and the chemical dissipates with sunrise.

“It only kills those mosquitoes flying in the night, not those that happen to come in the area after the sun rises,” Cormier said.

The Plymouth County currently lists Hingham as a “Moderate” risk for EEE and West Nile Virus while nearby towns such as Norwell, Marshfield, Duxbury and Plymouth have had their EEE threat level raised to "High."

Even though the spraying is considered safe, new laws require that the Plymouth County post yellow flags on the grounds for 72 hours in the areas of the spraying.  The Plymouth County also recommends residents to stay off the area where the flags are placed.

On Thursday and Friday, recess is still expected to be held outdoors for elementary school students, and the sprayed areas will be avoided, Cormier said.  High School sports practices are also being held as scheduled on the athletic fields.

The Plymouth County patient, diagnosed with EEE last Thursday, is in his 60's and was hospitalized. Initial symptoms of EEE are fever (often 103º to 106ºF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy, and in severe cases can progress to confusion, disorientation, and coma.

There have now been four human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and 14 cases of West Nile Virus found in Massachusetts this year.

For more information, on Thursday’s Hingham Public Schools' spraying, Click Here.

Do you agree with the county's decision to spray the Hingham Public Schools? Let us know.