Medfield EEE Risk Elevated to Critical

The Town of Medfield has been identified at critical risk for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), which is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that can affect people of all ages, and is generally spread to humans through the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus.

The Town of Medfield Board of Selectmen and Staff, the Superintendent of Schools, Board of Health, Norfolk County Mosquito Control, and the Legislative delegation of Sen. Paul Feeney, Rep. Shawn Dooley and Rep. Denise Garlick are working with the State Agencies of Health and Human Services, Department of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) to ensure that the Town is able to mobilize all resources necessary, in addition to personal actions (e.g. clothing, insect repellant) and operational changes (no outdoor activities scheduled after 7pm) to help protect its citizens from EEE infection from mosquito bites.

There will be intensive 5 truck spraying tonight (8/30) at dusk, and the schools have received a waiver to have school grounds sprayed. In discussions with the State, the decision to aerial spray is multifactorial including the availability of the plane, insecticide and temperature at spray time. At this time, aerial spraying has concluded.

Mosquito control activities will continue in Medfield to reduce public health risk from EEE, including local coordination regarding enhanced ground and truck spraying and ongoing monitoring of mosquito samples

To learn more about ground spraying in our area, contact our local board of health or our area’s local Norfolk County Mosquito Project. Because Medfield has been designated at critical risk, the administration will seek a supplemental appropriation to reimburse our Town or the local mosquito control project for ground spraying that occurs between August 30, 2019 and October 1, 2019.

Please follow all updates from the Town of Medfield and follow all instructions.

Our community is strengthened when we all work together to make Medfield a safe and healthy Town in which to live, study, work and play!

Happy Labor Day!

More information on Medfield’s website: https://www.town.medfield.net/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Confirmed-EEE-Animal-Case-in-Medfield-23

The Department of Public Health’s EEE website hosts several helpful resources:

-Answers to Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/eee-eastern-equine-encephalitis

-Link to downloadable and printable infographic about EEE prevention to distribute to local residents, businesses, and schools: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/08/29/EEE-prevention-handout.jpg

-Recommended cancellation times for outdoor activities: https://www.mass.gov/guides/eee-in-massachusetts#-recommended-cancellation-times-for-outdoor-activities-in-high-risk-areas-

-A community EEE risk map that shows the cities and towns which are currently at critical, high and moderate risk. The site is updated on an ongoing basis as risk levels change: http://www.mosquitoresults.com/

-Contact information for local mosquito control projects: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mosquito-control-projects-and-districts