State officials announce 9th human case of EEE in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released the following information today:

Press Release State officials announce 9th human case of EEE in Massachusetts

Personal protection measures urged until first hard frost

For immediate release:

9/18/2019

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that laboratory testing has confirmed the 9th human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infection, a man in his 70s from Essex County. As a result, risk levels have been raised to high in Ipswich and Topsfield, and to moderate in Beverly, Danvers, Hamilton, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, and Wenham.

There are 35 communities now at critical risk, 40 at high risk, and 128 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts. A map of the state’s current EEE risk levels can be found here.
“We continue to emphasize the need for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “We urge the public to use bug spray, wear long sleeves and pants and socks to reduce exposed skin, and stay indoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.”


In addition to the nine human cases of EEE this season in Massachusetts, there have also been eight confirmed cases of EEE this year in animals - seven horses and a goat. One person has died. There has also been one human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this season.
State officials continue to remind residents throughout the Commonwealth to take personal precautions to prevent mosquito bites. Residents can learn more about EEE and ways to protect themselves on DPH’s website.


EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE occurs sporadically in Massachusetts with the most recent outbreak years occurring from 2004-2006 and 2010-2012. There were 22 human cases of EEE infection during those two outbreak periods with 14 cases occurring among residents of Bristol and Plymouth counties.
EEE virus has been found in 417 mosquito samples this year, many of them from species of mosquitoes capable of spreading the virus to people. An additional 76 mosquitos have tested positive for WNV.


As previously announced, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is conducting aerial spraying for mosquitoes tonight and through the weekend in parts of Middlesex, Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties. As always, aerial spraying is weather and equipment dependent and falling evening temperatures will affect the ability to conduct an effective spraying operation. Aerial mosquito spraying in specific communities in Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties was concluded last evening.


Residents are encouraged to visit the DPH website at www.mass.gov/eee for the latest updates on spraying in their communities.


People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes:


Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.


Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours
The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.


Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites
Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from skin.


Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.


Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to DAR, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.


For the most up-to-date information, Q&As, and downloadable fact sheets about EEE in multiple languages visit the DPH webpage www.mass.gov/eee.


For questions about aerial spraying, contact the MDAR Crop and Pest Services at (617) 626-1700.

Economic Development Committee listens to some important concerns in Gloucester

Today, thanks to House Chair Ann Margaret Ferrante, the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies held a hearing at the Gloucester House on some important pieces of legislation.


I was pleased to join the committee for the hearing, and to testify on behalf of three bills:
S.225, which I filed to cause the creation of a statewide master plan to support the creative economy;
H.369, which was filed by Representative Ferrante to direct the creation of a comprehensive plan to support the commercial fishing industry; and
H.370, which was filed by Representative Ferrante to create a fund to provide resources for the rehabilitation of piers, wharves and other pieces of infrastructure in Designated Port Area such as the one in Gloucester Harbor.


Thanks to the committee members for coming to hear testimony on these bills, and to those who joined us to provide compelling and informative testimony in support of them.


Posted below are a few pictures from the hearing.

Town of Wilmington dedicates Flagpole in memory of 9/11 First Responders and Miltary Personnel

Remembering and honoring our First Responders and our Military Personnel that have been fighting the War on Terror is important, and it was the focus of an inspiring flag pole dedication at Silver Lake in Wilmington on Saturday, September 14.

 

Organized by Veterans Service Officer Lou Cimaglia, the event was an opportunity to join with the Police and Fire Departments, veterans organizations and members of the Board of Selectmen to say thank you. I was honored to participate,  along with Representative Robertson and Greg Bendel, who spoke on behalf of the Selectmen.

 

The dedication also gave us the opportunity to thank Rapiscan Systems of Andover, formerly Morpho Detections of Wilmington for its generous donation of the pole and its installation.  

 

Courtesy of Wilmington Community Television the ceremony can be found here: https://wilmington.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=e0f871a6-c0cb-46b9-a744-26785114d44b

Below are some photos from the morning ceremony.

Public Meeting: Halibut Point State Park Improvements

Halibut Point State Park is an important resource for all of us, and out legislative delegation has been working with town officials, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Friends of Halibut Point and others, to accomplish the rebuilding of the Visitor's Center other improvements.


Tomorrow night the DCR will host an important discussion about the progress at the park. The meeting notice is posted below.

MASSDOT Advisory: Groveland-Route 113 (Main Street)

My office received the following advisory from MassDOT:


MassDOT: Groveland – Route 113 (Main Street) Daytime lane closures beginning Monday, September 16


GROVELAND – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced that daytime lane closures on Route 113 (Main Street) in Groveland from the West Newbury town line to Elm Park will begin on Monday, September 16, and continue through the fall. These daytime traffic impacts will be implemented each day between 7 a.m., and 4 p.m., and are necessary in order to allow crews to safely and effectively conduct construction operations. Travelers should note that there will be a single lane of traffic maintained through the work zone during these times. Detours and alternating traffic may be used as required during some construction operations. Appropriate signage, law enforcement details and advanced message boards will be in place to guide drivers through the work area. Drivers are encouraged to make informed decisions before heading out onto the roadways. Those traveling through the area should expect delays, reduce speed and use caution. The schedule for this work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice. This $1.2 million project includes resurfacing and related safety improvements and is scheduled to be completed in May 2020.


For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are also encouraged to:
• Dial 511 and select a route to hear real–time conditions.


• Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.


• Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.


• Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

SENATE REPUBLICANS MAKE CALL FOR RESOLUTION OF DISTRACTED DRIVING IMPASSE

Boston- Members of the state Senate Republican Caucus today encouraged a committee of House and Senate conferees, deadlocked on distracted driving legislation, to return to the negotiating table.

Citing the importance of stemming distracted driving and improving public safety, the Senate lawmakers urged the six committee conferees to reconvene and resume their efforts to resolve differences between bills adopted in each branch.

Five of the Republican Caucus members wrote the letter to the committee while Senator Dean Tran (R- Fitchburg), an appointed member of the committee, issued his own communication urging his colleagues to resume talks.

“While there are some differences in the bills, there is a significant shared core between them that can and should form the basis of a compromise bill,” the letter said. The House adopted bill, H. 3793, “An Act Requiring The Hands-Free Use Of Mobile Telephones While Driving” in May with a 155-2 vote and the Senate approved Senate Bill 2216, “An Act Preventing Distracted Driving”, unanimously in a 40 to 0 vote in a June session.

“We have discussed the merits of legislation to reduce distracted driving for 15 years in the Senate,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “In that time, lives have been lost, families left grieving and another generation has developed dangerous driving habits, I am hopeful that my colleagues will revive their efforts to protect public safety.”

The caucus offered in the letter to provide assistance to the committee, the members of which began deliberating on the two bills in June.

September 11th Services, Remembrances and Ceremonies

Today, 9-11, is the anniversary of the attracts on our nation by terrorists. Together, we have done much to heal, we have looked to one another for comfort and strength. We are a people of who love peace, our society, and the great spirit of our nation.

In services across the state and country people gathered to honor those we were killed. At the State House, Governor Charlie Baker presided over several ceremonies on the front lawn, in the House chamber, and at Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial Annual Ceremony in Ashburton Park.