BOSTON (AP) - State health officials say aerial spraying has cut the mosquito
population in half in six southeastern Massachusetts communities.
Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach warned on Wednesday
that the results do not eliminate the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses in
Massachusetts.
The spraying killed mosquitoes that were in flight during the Aug. 13
operation in Bridgewater, Easton, Norton, Raynham, Taunton, and West
Bridgewater. It occurred after officials detected several mosquitoes infected
with Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the area.
There has been only one confirmed case of human EEE in Massachusetts this
year. Officials say the Metrowest resident may have contracted the disease out
of state.
In June the department issued new guidelines that would allow health
officials to consider spraying insecticides in a region if just one
mammal-biting mosquito is found to be infected with EEE.
