First West Nile Death in Mass. Since 2005, Threat Level Raised Statewide

A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness.

The first death of a Massachusetts resident due to West Nile Virus (WNV) since 2005 and additional human cases have led state officials to raise the threat level statewide to at least 'moderate." A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Friday.  "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this gentleman during this difficult time," Worcester Division of Public Health Acting Commissioner Dr. Michael Hirsh said in a DPH press release. "While we have been fortunate that we have seen a very low number of human West Nile cases, on rare occasion WNV can be very serious…

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Aerial Spraying Lowers Mosquito Population in Area

Second round of aerial spraying cut population in half in neighboring Easton.

State officials announced Wednesday that the most recent round of aerial spraying cut Easton's mosquito population in half. Sharon was told that a bird-bitting mosquito with EEE was found in town on Aug. 15. The town was notified on Aug. 21 and is at moderate risk level. Despite the good news out of Easton, the Department of Public Health is still urging caution. "Today’s results reduce but do not eliminate the public health threat of mosquito-borne illnesses in Massachusetts," said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach in a statement. "It remains vitally important that people continue to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites — use insect repellant, cover exposed skin, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk …

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EEE Mosquito Trapped in Sharon

The Sharon Health Department were told EEE mosquito was found in Sharon. The risk level is at moderate.

  (FROM THE SHARON HEALTH DEPARTMENT) The Sharon Health Department was notified Aug. 21 that a bird biting EEE mosquito was trapped in Sharon Aug. 15.  At this time, the risk level will remain at moderate. Please remember to practice the following: Avoid Mosquito Bites

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Despite Decline in Mosquito Population, More EEE Found Near Sharon

Seven EEE-infected mosquito pools found just this week in neighboring Easton.

Easton Health Agent Mark Taylor said Wednesday that a total of seven positive pools of EEE mammal-biting mosquitoes have been identified in neighboring Easton just this week. Two pools tested positive on Monday and five more tested positive on Wednesday. The discovery coincides with reports that mosquito populations are down 60 percent in communities where aerial spraying occurred two weekends ago, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. What does this mean for Sharon? It's another reminder that while mosquito populations are down, EEE is still very prevalent in the area as indicated by the recent findings. The state recommends towns in "high risk" areas to curtail outdoor evening activities for the remainder of the …

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EEE Found in Mammal-Biting Mosquitoes in Neighboring Canton

The risk level in Sharon remains “moderate.”

Mammal-biting mosquitoes have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in another town neighboring Sharon. After mammal-biting mosquitoes recently tested positive for EEE in Easton, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that EEE had also been detected in mammal-biting mosquitoes in Canton. Last week, a bird-biting mosquito in Canton tested positive for EEE, but there was no change to the risk levels for mosquito-borne illness in Canton or in the surrounding towns as a result. However, Sharon's risk level remains moderate, the DPH said in a press release. However, now that mammal-biting mosquitoes have tested positive in Canton, the risk level has been elevated for some communities. These mosquito samples …

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Weekly Region Roundup

Region Roundup: Shooting; Fatal Crash on Route 24; EEE; Mitt Romney (And More...)

A look at the top headlines in your town and the surrounding area for the week of July 15, 2012.

Man Shot at Technology Center Drive Apartment Complex in Stoughton A man was transported to Boston Medical Center the afternoon of July 16 with a gunshot wound in the lower back, suffered at the Lodge at Stoughton on Technology Center Drive. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries. Stoughton Police believe to have a "person of interest in the case." It is believed the shooting took place outside of building #404 at the apartment complex, following an argument inside the building, according to police. Read more by clicking here. *** Mansfield Teen Dies in Crash on Route 24 in West Bridgewater Massachusetts State Police responded to the crash at 3:55 a.m. on July 15 after receiving calls from other motorists reporting a wrong-way …

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Canton Mosquito Tests Positive for EEE

However, risk levels in the area, including Sharon, unchanged.

State health officials say bird-biting mosquito in Canton has tested positive for EEE, Sharon Public Health Nurse Sheila Miller said today. However, "there is no change to the risk levels for Canton or the surrounding towns at this time," Miller said. The Canton mosquito is the latest instance of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the Sharon area over the past two weeks. Both previous cases were in mammal-biting mosquitoes found in Easton. The first case was announced July 11 and the second one on Tuesday. Both cases came from near Easton's border with Raynham and Taunton, not Sharon. Sharon health officials have been urging residents to take precautions when outside from dawn to dusk.

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Sharon Health Officials Urge Precautions After EEE Found in More Easton Mosquitoes

The mosquitoes came from the same location as those testing positive recently.

More EEE-positive mammal-biting mosquitoes have been found in Easton, and Sharon health officials today are urging residents to take precautions when outside from dawn to dusk. The mosquitoes came from the same site as those in which Eastern Equine Encephalitis was detected recently, the first EEE-positive mosquitoes in Massachusetts this year, Sharon health officials said. News of those first mosquitoes was announced last Wednesday. Sharon Public Health Nurse Sheila Miller distributed safety tips during the Sharon Lakeside Concert at Veteran's Memorial Park and Beach that night. The state will spray in these communities, Sharon health officials said: Bridgewater, Carver, Easton, Halifax, Lakeville, Middleboro, Norton, Plympton, Raynham, …

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Sharon Health Department Provides Mosquito Safety Tips After EEE Found in Easton

Sharon Public Health Nurse Sheila Miller distributed information during Wednesday night's concert at Veteran's Memorial Park Beach.

Sharon Public Health Nurse Sheila Miller distributed mosquito safety tips during Wednesday night's concert at Veteran's Memorial Park Beach. The efforts were a proactive response to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's announcement earlier in the day that Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year -- in neighboring Easton, Miller said. Two of the four positive mosquitoes were a "mammal-biting" kind of mosquito, which is cause for particular concern, the DPH said in a press release. Miller said no positive mosquitoes have been found in Sharon. State Health Commissioner John Auerbach spoke with area health agents on a conference call Wednesday and alerted them to…

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