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.

Charts shows results of state mosquito testing in 2013.

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).

Mosquito testing: So far so good

Vermont authorities have stepped up testing in targeted areas of the state in an effort to hinder the spread of deadly mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile viruses. The Whiting-Brandon area is a particular concern because EEE was detected in mosquitoes there last year and found its way to human victims. Early testing results announced this week came back negative for the viruses, according to a report by Lucia Suarez of the Rutland Herald.

When announcing the test results, state epidemiologist Erica Berl said, "The Brandon-Whiting swamp areas are moderate risk based on the evidence from last year." Risk levels have been assigned to regions of the state and testing resources will be allocated based upon the perceived risk. Most of Vermont falls into a baseline risk level, in which no reports of mosquito-borne illness in humans or animals have been received. Low-risk areas include those where virus-carrying mosquitoes have been detected within the past two years but no illnesses in humans or animals have been reported.

Current state plans call for consideration of insecticide spraying whenever repeated tests show mosquito-borne viruses in a region or the viruses turn up in humans or animals. "There is not a lot of information," Berl admitted. "We can't spray until we have a good educated guess that it will do something."

Last year, two people - residents of Brandon and Sudbury - died after becoming infected with the EEE virus. After the human infections were reported, the state organized aerial spraying of regions of the Whiting swamp.

Information on mosquito-borne illnesses can be obtained through the Vermont Department of Health website.

Planning Whiting's 250th birthday party

Whiting residents are asked to assist in planning the town's 250th anniversary celebration. An organizational meeting of the celebration committee is scheduled for seven o'clock tomorrow night (Wednesday) at the Whiting Elementary School. If you would like to help but cannot attend the meeting, contact Suzanne Denis at suzannedenis59(at)gmail(dot)com. The town celebration will be Saturday, September 7.

OTTERS WIN!

Otter Valley secures its first 
state baseball title since '76

Otter pitcher Patterson retires 17 in a row

The Otter Valley Union High School baseball team has defeated top-ranked Burr & Burton Academy to take the 2013 Division 2 state title. It is Otter Valley's first baseball championship since 1976.

The Otters celebrate with the state championship plaque.

Otter starting pitcher Brett Patterson was dominant, tossing a one-hit complete game shutout. The Burr & Burton Bulldogs, who have appeared in three of the last four state championship games without winning a title, managed just two baserunners against Otter Valley.

The Otters erupted for six runs in the third inning, which proved to be more than sufficient. They added a single run in the fifth inning, as Jim Winslow, who doubled to lead off and was sacrificed to third, scored on a Bulldog wild pitch. Two more runs were added in the sixth. John Winslow led off with a walk, stole second and scored on a Lonergan triple. Lonergan then scored on another Bulldog wild pitch.

Patterson shut the door on the Bulldogs early and retired the last 17 Burr & Burton batters he faced. The game's last batter went to a full count and then took a called strike on the outside corner.

After the game, the Otters receive individual medals.

Burr & Burton was top seeded in the Division 2 postseason. However, Otter Valley, which was ranked second, had a better overall record and had beaten Burr & Burton, 8-1, during the regular season. Heading into the championship game, no Burr & Burton postseason opponent had scored a run.

A large crowd of Otter supporters attended the championship game, played at Burlington's Centennial Field.


In  1  2  3  4  5  6  7 

OV  0  0  6  0  1  2  0
BB  0  0  0  0  0  0  0

    R   H   E

OV  9   9   0
BB  0   1   1

Photos are screen captures from live game coverage provided by NSNsports.net

Otters are one win from baseball title

The Otter Valley Union High School baseball team will face top-ranked Burr & Burton Academy tomorrow night in the Division 2 state championship game. The game begins at 7 p.m. at Burlington's Centennial Field.

The Otters, seeded second in the Division 2 postseason, defeated the Lamoille Lancers, 8-1, in Wednesday's semi-final game. Starting pitcher Justin Owen fanned ten lancers in the victory. At 18-1 for the year, OVUHS is poised to take the division title. The Otters were victorious against the Burr & Burton Bulldogs when the teams squared off in the regular season.

GO OTTERS!

June 1 rainbow

Yesterday's brief, early evening shower left us this double-rainbow.