UPDATE (8/22 4:36pm) We had been told that rain could cause postponement of the mosquito spraying, but Health Department just tweeted: "Weather conditions are favorable for... targeted mosquito spraying tonight. Will tweet progress from start to finish."
WCAX interviews Dr. Harry Chen of the Vermont Department of Health:
WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-
Showing posts with label Insecticides. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Insecticides. Show all posts
22 August 2013
20 August 2013
Aerial mosquito-spraying announced
The Vermont Department of Health has announced that it will conduct aerial insecticide spraying August 22 and 27 of a swampy area of Whiting in an effort to combat the spread of deadly mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Spraying of a low concentration of Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin) will be performed within a two-mile radius centered round the swampy area north of Stickney Road in Whiting. The activity is scheduled to begin at dusk each evening and continue to about 11 p.m. The spraying may be postponed in case of rain.
EEE was detected for the first time in Vermont last year. Two people became ill with the virus and later died. The health department has stepped up testing of mosquito pools in certain areas of the state this year. No EEE was detected through the early summer.
That changed with testing of a mosquito pool collected from the Whiting area on Aug. 1. EEE turned up in test results, and the health department warned residents to take reasonable precautions against mosquito bites, including wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts outdoors during times of mosquito activity and using insect repellants.
Today the health department announced that four more mosquito pools from the area, collected on Aug. 10 and 12, have tested positive for EEE. The virus has not been detected in humans or animals so far this year.
"These newest detections only intensify our recommendations to Vermonters to fight the bite, no matter where you live," Health Commissioner Harry Chen said. "We can't kill every mosquito, but targeted spraying may knock back the local population of mosquitoes that are carrying the EEE virus.
"Spraying could reduce risk of infection," he explained, "but it's still important that we all take precautions against mosquito bites."
State health officials believe EEE is present in other parts of the state, but it has so far been positively identified only in mosquito pool tests from southern Addison and northern Rutland counties. Testing is being concentrated in in certain areas of the state (See map).
Spraying of a low concentration of Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin) will be performed within a two-mile radius centered round the swampy area north of Stickney Road in Whiting. The activity is scheduled to begin at dusk each evening and continue to about 11 p.m. The spraying may be postponed in case of rain.
EEE was detected for the first time in Vermont last year. Two people became ill with the virus and later died. The health department has stepped up testing of mosquito pools in certain areas of the state this year. No EEE was detected through the early summer.
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| Charts shows results of state mosquito testing in 2013. |
"These newest detections only intensify our recommendations to Vermonters to fight the bite, no matter where you live," Health Commissioner Harry Chen said. "We can't kill every mosquito, but targeted spraying may knock back the local population of mosquitoes that are carrying the EEE virus.
"Spraying could reduce risk of infection," he explained, "but it's still important that we all take precautions against mosquito bites."
State health officials believe EEE is present in other parts of the state, but it has so far been positively identified only in mosquito pool tests from southern Addison and northern Rutland counties. Testing is being concentrated in in certain areas of the state (See map).
05 September 2012
Aerial mosquito spraying map released
The Vermont Department of Health has released a map of tomorrow night's aerial mosquito spraying areas in Whiting, Cornwall, Shoreham, Brandon, Leicester and Salisbury. The spraying is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
It isn't the most useful map in the world, but I'm guessing that aerial mosquito spraying is not a terribly precise science anyway. (In Whiting, the spraying will be performed across the entire width of the town from the Cornwall line southward nearly to the village. Spraying will also be done in adjoining areas of Shoreham, including Wooster Road, Cutting Hill Road and Webster Road; Cornwall, including Wooster Road, Parkhill Road, southern portions of Route 30, Delong Road, Galvin Road and Swamp Road; and Salisbury, including small sections near Creek Road and Hubbard Road to the west of Dewey Road.)
So, if you are clearly in the purple boxes or really anywhere near them, you should take a few precautions against exposure to the Anvil insecticide that is being used. Stay indoors with windows and doors closed and air conditioners off during the spraying period and for at least a half hour afterward. Bring in laundry, toys, pet food and drinking bowls, and consider picking ripe fruits and vegetables before the spraying starts.
The Health Department has provided information on Anvil here.
Two people have been diagnosed with a mosquito-borne illness called Eastern Equine Encephalitis. One of the patients has died. Vermont had previously seen EEE infections in livestock but never in human in the state. The discovery of EEE and West Nile viruses in mosquito pools in Whiting in late August prompted Health Department action. A public meeting on the proposed aerial spraying of insecticides was held in Brandon last night.
It isn't the most useful map in the world, but I'm guessing that aerial mosquito spraying is not a terribly precise science anyway. (In Whiting, the spraying will be performed across the entire width of the town from the Cornwall line southward nearly to the village. Spraying will also be done in adjoining areas of Shoreham, including Wooster Road, Cutting Hill Road and Webster Road; Cornwall, including Wooster Road, Parkhill Road, southern portions of Route 30, Delong Road, Galvin Road and Swamp Road; and Salisbury, including small sections near Creek Road and Hubbard Road to the west of Dewey Road.)
So, if you are clearly in the purple boxes or really anywhere near them, you should take a few precautions against exposure to the Anvil insecticide that is being used. Stay indoors with windows and doors closed and air conditioners off during the spraying period and for at least a half hour afterward. Bring in laundry, toys, pet food and drinking bowls, and consider picking ripe fruits and vegetables before the spraying starts.
The Health Department has provided information on Anvil here.
Two people have been diagnosed with a mosquito-borne illness called Eastern Equine Encephalitis. One of the patients has died. Vermont had previously seen EEE infections in livestock but never in human in the state. The discovery of EEE and West Nile viruses in mosquito pools in Whiting in late August prompted Health Department action. A public meeting on the proposed aerial spraying of insecticides was held in Brandon last night.
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