No More Mosquito Spraying This Year in Londonderry

Londonderry does not plan any additional mosquito spraying this year, despite a recent case of Eastern equine encephalitis in a Derry horse.

Londonderry Health Director Richard Canuel said he discussed the issue recently with the town's mosquito contractor, but based on how late it is in the season, the fact that no positive test results were found in town, and the lower mosquito population being found in traps here, they decided additional spraying wouldn't be worth the expense.

The spraying that was done in August in Londonderry was done as a precautionary measure due to several positive test results in Manchester.

Canuel said one reason EEE and West Nile virus haven't been as big an issue in Londonderry as in some neighboring towns may be because the town conducts larviciding as part of a pro-active mosquito control program. He said he plans to reach out to his colleagues in neighboring towns to mention how well larviciding works to reduce the risk level.

The town of Derry conducted additional mosquito spraying on Thursday night at all of its elementary and middle schools, as well as Alexander-Carr Park, Don Ball Park, MacGregor Park, Rider Field, Veterans Field, Calvary Bible Church, Pinkerton Academy and the Pinkerton Academy practice field.