Seven EEE-Infected Mosquito Pools Found This Week in Easton

Easton Health officials said Wednesday that a total of seven positive pools of EEE mammal-biting mosquitoes have been identified in Easton just this week.

Two pools tested positive Monday and five more tested positive Wednesday.

The discovery coincides with reports that mosquito populations are in communities where aerial spraying occurred two weekends ago, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Mansfield was not sprayed, but surrounding towns, such as Easton, Norton, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Raynham and Taunton were part of this spraying effort.

While mosquito populations are down, EEE is still very prevalant in the area as indicated by the recent findings, causing the state to recommend towns in "high risk" areas to curtail night-time activities for the remainder of the summer.

"The Board of Heath is supporting this recommendation to curtail night time actives from Dusk to Dawn," the Easton Board of Health said in a statement released Wednesday.  "Dusk being one hour before sun set and dawn is one hour after sun rise."

Other towns high at risk include Canton, Lakeville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Taunton and West Bridgewater, according to the Department of Public Health.

"Local mosquito control projects continue to conduct ground spraying throughout the area, and trapping and monitoring have been enhanced to monitor the on-going EEE risk," the DPH said in a statement.

The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct ground spraying at Mansfield Public Schools and buildings in the coming weeks.

Ground spraying will occur at and Monday through The state hasn't ruled out another round of aerial spraying.

For a look at sunrise and sunset times in the area, click on the attached .pdf.