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Originally posted at 3:33 pm Updated at 11:48 Last updated at 7:17 pm with a photo of the city's website.
Editor's Note: The city of Framingham is still considered a high-level city, as are the communities of Marlborough, Millbury, Northborough and Sutton. The City has posted the "critical" level. SOURCE asked for clarification.
FRAMINGHAM – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today Aug. 16 that a 19 to 30 year old person living in Grafton had been tested positive for equine encephalitis testing. from the East (EEA).
This is the first time that a positive EEE human case has been confirmed in our region and the second EEA positive human case in the state this year, said the city of Framingham in a statement. Press.
Six days ago, an individual from Plymouth County was confirmed with the disease, according to the state's Department of Health.
As a result of this new human case of Grafton, the state has raised the level of risk for Framingham.
But the city of Framingham reports that the risk is "critical".
The virus at the origin of the EEE is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. In Massachusetts, the virus is most often identified in mosquitoes found in and around freshwater marshes.
Two weeks ago, mosquito samples collected at Framingham were positive for West Nile virus (WNV), which is most often transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mosquitoes carrying this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban areas as well as in more rural areas.
Although West Nile virus can infect people of any age, people over 50 years old are at higher risk of serious infection.
By taking some common sense precautions, people can help protect themselves and their loved ones:
Avoid mosquito bites
Beware of mosquito rush hours – The hours from dusk to dawn are rush hour bites for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that take place in the evening or early in the morning. If you are outside at any time and you notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid bites by moving inside, covering yourself and / or wearing a repellent .
Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Although it can be hard to do on hot days, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks on the outside will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Apply an insect repellent when you go out. Use an insect repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridine (KBR 3023), IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus oil. [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions of the product label. DEET products should not be used in infants less than two months of age and should be used at concentrations up to 30% in older children. The lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used in children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, mosquito nets and camping equipment and should not be applied to the skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your home
Drain stagnant water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Limit the number of places around your house where mosquitoes can reproduce by draining or removing objects containing water. Check the gutters and drains. Empty unused flower pots and wading pools, and
change the water frequently in the baths of birds.
Install or repair screens – Some mosquitoes like to come inside. Keep them outside by installing tightly fitting mosquito nets on all your doors and windows.
Protect your animals
Pet owners should reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating stagnant water containers such as buckets, tires and wading pools, especially after heavy rains.
Water troughs are excellent habitats for mosquito breeding and must be rinsed at least once a week during the summer months to reduce the number of mosquitoes near the enclosures. Horse owners must keep horses in stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Homeowners should also talk to their veterinarians about approved mosquito repellents in animals and vaccines to prevent EEE and WNV.
Framingham is part of the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (EMMCP). EMMCP has completed the application of larvicide on all Framingham catch basins and continues to do so in wetlands.
Parts of Framingham were pulverized last week and earlier this summer.
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