![Wayland High School Class of 2019 alum Devin Wong is the new assistant coach of Harvard University Nordic Ski Team. "I’m excited to be a part of a new team and coaching staff am motivated to learn from [head coach] Cate Brams and grow as a coach and wax tech," Wong said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/09-27-24-NSKI-Wong-Announcement-1920x1080-1-e1730466291327-1200x704.jpg)
On Sept. 9, Massachusetts reported its fourth case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), which is a disease that is spread through the bite of mosquitoes. According to the Boston Globe, it’s the most cases of EEE Massachusetts has had since 2020.
Wayland has been put at moderate risk for EEE as of Oct. 3. This means that there are mosquitoes with EEE in Wayland, and there has been at least one reported case of EEE in the last year. Neighboring towns such as Concord have been put at high risk for EEE. The annual boys varsity soccer Kicks for Cancer Game location was changed since Concord-Carlisle could not host public activities from dusk to dawn. This changed on Sept. 24, when it was announced that Kicks for Cancer was moved back to Concord-Carlisle High School because Concord was no longer in high risk. Other towns in Massachusetts have also had to take precautions with EEE. At Plymouth South High School, football games were moved from nighttime to 4 p.m. since EEE highest exposure time occurs at night.
Every spring, there is a helicopter that sprays biological larvicide Bti in Wayland to contain mosquito larvae mainly for mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus. According to the director of Wayland public health, Julia Junghan, Wayland has fewer severe cases of EEE because we don’t have many cedar swamps. The town of Wayland is a part of East Middlesex Mosquito Control (EMMC). EMMC tests mosquitoes in Wayland for many diseases. As of now, no mosquito has tested positive for EEE, but several have tested positive for West Nile Virus in the EMMC lab.
How to avoid EEE?
Staying inside from dusk till dawn to avoid contact with mosquitoes, wearing long sleeves and pants and spraying insect repellent should decrease your risk of contracting EEE. Be sure to avoid areas with water because mosquitoes lay their eggs in bodies of water.
Junghan recommends people see the risk of EEE in towns they visit and what the health departments of the town advise them to do.
“Even though this [is the] time of year when the air is cooling off [and] mosquitoes’ populations are going down, it’s important to practice safety with your own protection [from mosquitoes],” Junhan said. “As well as be aware of where you’re going.”
