Mosquito Spraying In Worcester, Middlesex Counties For EEE

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Portions of Worcester and Middlesex counties are the latest groups to be scheduled for aerial mosquito spraying by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Spraying will start on Sunday and comes on the heels of 37 communities in the state being labeled at high or critical risk for the Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus.

There are 17 communities scheduled to be sprayed, many of which are in the MetroWest. The communities include:

• Framingham
• Ashland
• Grafton
• Westborough
• Northborough
• Worcester
• Milford
• Berlin
• Hopkinton
• Marlborough
• Upton
• Millbury
• Northbridge
• Shrewsbury
• Sudbury
• Sutton
• Southborough

The sprayings which could last several evenings. On Tuesday, DPH announced a second round of aerial spraying for parts of southeastern Massachusetts.

The second human case of EEE was reported in Grafton last week, elevating the risk level for several neighboring communities. EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease. The first two human cases of EEE in Massachusetts since 2013 were announced on August 10 and August 16 and are an indication of the current significant risk of EEE in the commonwealth.

While spraying doesn't completely eliminate the risk and presence of mosquitoes it is a tool against the spread of the EEE virus. DPH officials still urge residents to limit time outdoors in the evenings and wear bug spray.

The pesticide used is called Anvil 10+10, a product extensively tested and used in both ground-level and aerial spraying in the U.S. to control mosquitoes. Anvil 10+10 contains two ingredients: Sumithrin and Piperonyl butoxid. Sumithrin is an ingredient similar to the natural components of the chrysanthemum flower which is also found in other pesticide products used indoors, in pet shampoos, and tick control treatments. Sumithrin is rapidly inactivated and decomposes with exposure to light and air, with a half-life of less than one day in the air and on plants. In soil, it degrades rapidly. Sumithrin has proven to be extremely effective in killing mosquitoes worldwide for over 20 years. Piperonyl butoxide serves to increase the ability of Sumithrin to kill mosquitoes.

There are no health risks expected during or after spraying and there is no evidence that aerial spraying will exacerbate certain health conditions such as asthma or chemical sensitivity. No special precautions are recommended; however, residents can reduce exposure by staying indoors during spraying. Aerial spraying is not expected to have any impacts on surface water or drinking water.