Massachusetts said on Tuesday that it will start aerial spraying in the southeastern portion of the state to kill off mosquitoes that could potentially carry the deadly Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus after some of the bugs tested positive for it.
A mosquito bite can transmit the EEE virus, which could potentially kill a person, causing severe brain inflammation and swelling, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
The health department said “additional EEE-positive mosquito pools” were recently collected in the city of Easton after the virus was discovered last week. Aerial spraying, the agency said, will begin as soon as possible and a time table will be created by July 18.
Aerial spraying can only do so much to mitigate the threat posed by EEE-infected mosquitoes, health department chief John Auerbach said.
“That’s why it’s so important for individuals in these communities to continue to take personal precautions against mosquito bites, both before and after aerial spraying is conducted,” he added.
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