By Celeste Katz Marston — Celeste@concordbridge.org
The town announced the treatment of two popular locations with pesticide Thursday after mosquito sampling confirmed the presence of eastern equine encephalitis, and state health authorities on Friday elevated Concord’s EEE risk level to high.
Emerson Field at 90 Stow Street and Rideout Playground at 61 Laws Brook Road were sprayed Thursday.
Concord’s Board of Health also scheduled an emergency meeting for Saturday at 7 p.m. The board will consider “authorization of a waiver to conduct pesticide spraying for mosquitos on school property as well as other measures, such as the restriction of outdoor activities.”
East Middlesex Mosquito Control found EEE in two mosquito samples collected in Concord on September 5 and 10. No humans had been confirmed to have been infected with the virus in Concord as of Thursday evening.
EEE is a rare mosquito-borne virus that has infected at least four people in Massachusetts in recent weeks, including in Middlesex County.
Early, mild symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe symptoms may include confusion, extreme drowsiness, seizures, paralysis, and coma.
People under age 15 and over 50 are at greatest risk for serious illness, according to health authorities.
There is no specific vaccine or treatment for the virus. Survivors can experience ongoing neurologic issues.
The town, which also announced the spraying in an automated phone call Thursday evening, specified that the pesticide in use is Suspend Polyzone, with an active ingredient of deltamethrin, a type of pyrethroid.
“Pyrethroids are compounds that are similar to pyrethrins, which are found in chrysanthemum flowers,” the advisory said.
“Some common pyrethroid products used by consumers include flea and tick shampoos/collars for pets; lice and scabies treatments (shampoos, etc.) for humans; insect repellent clothing, etc. The pesticide will be dry by the next morning and no precautions are needed. It will not harm pets if they wander into the woods.”
Town authorities said “the spray will only be applied to [areas] of large vegetation” including trees, brush, and bushes, according to a town advisory released Thursday evening. “Areas where people congregate will not be sprayed, for example, fields where activities take place, playgrounds and picnic tables.”
To protect yourself from mosquito bites:
- Avoid outdoor areas populated by mosquitos as well as outdoor activity at dusk and dawn.
- Use insect repellent any time you go outside.
- Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks.
- Use mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens.
- Drain standing water where mosquitoes may breed, including in rain gutters, flowerpots, and wading pools.
- Repair window screens to keep bugs out of the home.
To join Saturday’s Board of Health meeting, click here. The meeting ID is 861 3592 0742 and the passcode is 708994.
This story has been updated.
