By Amir Mohammad
Your Health
Dr. Amir Mohammad
The Connecticut Department of Public Health recently announced the death of a third person who was diagnosed with eastern equine encephalitis this year, as well as the diagnosis of EEE in a fourth person who remains hospitalized.
All the residents are advised to take active preventive steps to protect themselves and their family members from mosquito bites until the first hard frost of the fall. Additionally, it is best to avoid outdoor activities from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
An email sent to all the local health departments by Dr. Matthew Carter, state epidemiologist and director of infectious diseases said, “The risk for mosquito-borne disease is virtually eliminated by the first local hard frost which kills most remaining adult mosquitoes. A hard, or killing frost, is defined meteorologically as two consecutive hours of temperatures below 28 degrees Fahrenheit or three hours below 32 degrees. This will occur at different times for different communities, and there may even be variation within communities based on local geography.
“The DPH does not have meteorological data or expertise and cannot determine when individual communities have experienced a hard frost. Sources of information to assist local officials with determining when a hard frost has occurred can be found on the weather reports from local media outlets, through the National Weather Service and other online resources such as Weather Underground,” it continued.
“Although mosquitoes are not killed until a hard frost occurs, they are extremely unlikely to be active when temperatures fall below 50 degrees in the evening, and communities may wish to consider this information when making decisions about scheduling or cancelling planned outdoor events late in the season.”
“This year we have noticed an increased EEE activity in the state. CT DPH continues to monitor and ask residents not to take unnecessary trips into marshes and freshwater swamps as these are typically breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit the EEE virus, with such mosquitoes being most active at dusk and dawn. Overnight camping or other substantial outdoor exposure in freshwater swamps in Connecticut should be avoided.”
It is reassuring to know that Orange has an active mosquito management plan. According to this plan, a biological larvicide is applied weekly from April through October to mosquito breeding areas, such as marsh areas, stagnant catch basins, parks and other public areas throughout town.
The Orange health department receives reports of larval surveillance of potential breeding sites (wetlands, catch basins) after the application. Reinspection of breeding sites also occurs to determine the effectiveness of larvicide. Such sites include five recreational areas, four school grounds and various small areas of less than four acres totaling approximately 53 acres.
The most effective way to prevent infection from EEE is to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, treat clothing and gear, and take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.
Dr. Amir Mohammad is the director of health for the Town of Orange.