By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — The town continues to monitor its risk for mosquito-borne viruses after EEE was detected in a sample taken from a catch basin at Town Hall in August.
On Monday, Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto informed the Transcript that no new positive samples have been detected in town. He added that the town’s risk for EEE remains “moderate” while the risk for West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne disease, remains “low.”
The town increased its truck-mounted mosquito spraying program through the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (EMMCP) following the issuance of the MassDPH report.
Another truck-mounted spraying was slated to occur this past Tuesday night, from dusk to 11:30 p.m. in the areas of town located between Main Street and the border with Wilmington as well as streets in the vicinity of Pluff Ave., Pomeroy Rd., Francis St., Winter St. and Damon St.
The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project states it uses Zenivex E4 (EPA Reg No. 2724.807) at a concentration of 1 oz per acre for mosquito control. Zenivex E4, a non-ester pyrethroid classified by the EPA as a reduced risk pesticide, does not “pose a significant risk to people or their pets due to the low toxicity and the small amount used” and “biodegrades rapidly and doesn’t build up in the environment.”
Minimizing exposure to any pesticides is still recommended. “If residents see a spray truck approaching, they are advised to go indoors for a few minutes while the spray dissipates. Residents are also advised to close windows. Beekeepers do not need to take any special precautions since spraying begins after sunset,” according to the EMMCP.
