By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) was detected in a mosquito sample found in North Reading and reported to town officials by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) last Thursday.

 Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto told the Transcript that the virus was detected in two mosquitos in a sample taken from a catch basin located at Town Hall, 235 North St.

MDPH classified the town as being at “moderate” risk as of last Thursday for the “rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. While EEE can infect people of all ages, people under 15 years of age or over 50 years of age are at greatest risk for serious illness.”

In response to this level of risk, truck-mounted spraying to control the mosquito population was conducted in town from dusk to 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 29 in areas of town located between Main Street and the border of Wilmington as well as on streets in the vicinity of Pluff Avenue, Pomeroy Road, Francis Street, Winter Street and Damon Street. This was done by the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project.

As a precaution, North Reading Youth Football opted not to hold practices last Thursday night, Gilleberto said.

Last Thursday’s truck-mounted spraying is being supplemented by backpack aerosol spray application on the school playing fields between Tuesday, September 3 and Thursday, September 5, and at other town parks early next week, also by EMMCP. According to EMMCP: “Spray areas are determined by trap data, disease data, and historical data. Spraying is not conducted by request.”

Additionally, the North Reading Board of Health posted an emergency meeting at 9:05 p.m. on August 29 which took place on Friday morning via Zoom at 8 a.m. to coordinate the town’s response and to continue to review “this evolving situation” with additional information to be communicated by the town’s Health Department and the town administrator as soon as it is available.

The BOH and Health Director Bob Bracey will likely meet again later this week. The next meeting was not yet posted at press time.

The North Reading Public Schools also sent email notifications to the parents and guardians of students who attend each of the town’s five schools with the spraying schedule, a notice of the ingredients in the chemical spray being used and prevention tips.

TAKE PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS 

 People in communities classified as “moderate” risk for EEE are advised by MDPH to take the following precautionary actions:

1. Repair window screens

2. Wear mosquito repellent between dusk and dawn

3. Wear long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn

4. Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens

5. Wear mosquito repellent when outdoors, especially between dusk and dawn [Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 (3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid) or oil of lemon eucalyptus p-menthane 3, 8-diol (PMD) according to the instructions given on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.]

6. Avoid outside areas with obvious mosquito activity.

It is also advised to remove any standing water on your property that may collect in various containers.