Halifax is at high risk for EEE (Eastern equine encephalitis).
Update for August 30, 2010
The most recent mosquito collections (August 9) by the Department of Public Health reported positive results for EEE in mosquitoes collected in Halifax and Plympton.
DPH has recommended canceling or rescheduling outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
It is especially important for people to understand the risk this year because we've had low EEE activity the last few years and we have fewer mosquitoes this year. So, many people have let their guard down and are not aware of the recent increase in risk.
Even though we have fewer mosquitoes than usual, the many samples testing positive for EEE means that, proportionately, our risk is greater than usual.
Other "red flags" for this year are the early appearance of the EEE, the early case of the horse in Middleboro and the positive results of EEE in a sample of mammal biting mosquitoes as of today, July 27, 2010.
People are urged to use insect repellant even during the day, the risk is so high this year.
People should be aware that if a family member becomes seriously ill with fever and headache, they should contact DPH at 617 983 6800. An epidemiologist is available 24/7 for emergencies. A person will answer and the epidemiologist will be paged to return your call. This is an important consult resource for doctors as well.
This summer's early amplification of EEE in mosquitoes is seen as so serious by DPH that they are comparing it to the year 2006 when aerial spraying was conducted. That measure is being discussed at the State level by many involved departments and parties, in case it becomes necessary.
For more information, go to MA Department of Public Health and you will easily find information on mosquitoes, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile virus. As of 7-28-10 DPH will be adding an icon to its homepage to make it even easier to find this information. This link will bring you the latest updates on mosquitoes in Massachusetts
In order to stay informed and updated, please send an email to me if you are a camp director or teacher or coach with games or practices in Halifax, and I will add your email to a group. Write to cdrinan@town.halifax.ma.us
Note: During the week of July 25, there was numerous cases of mosquitoes testing positive for EEE in southeastern Massachusetts. Therefore, residents should take the precautions listed below and, in addition, avoid outside areas with obvious mosquito activity, adjust outdoor activity to avoid peak mosquito hours (from dusk to dawn) and avoid overnight camping near freshwater swamps where EEE activity is likely. During the week of July 11, a mosquito tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and during the week of July 18, a horse tested positive for EEE. On June 30, 2010, during one of its samplings of mosquitoes, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health obtained a sampling that included one or more mosquitoes in Halifax with West Nile Virus.
You can make a request for spraying by contacting the Plymouth County Mosquito Control at 781 585 5450, but if the line is busy, you can fax them at 781 582 1276. Board of Health Agent, Cathleen Drinan writes, "Aerial spraying is done only with the declaration of an emergency by the Governor and requires an enormous amount of resources from funding, coordinating the plane, contacting affected parties such as organic farmers, attorneys, conference calls with health agents, entomologists, public health commissioner and epidemiologists. It is not done quickly, lightly or without weighing of all options."
Residents and those working in Halifax should take extra precautions such as wearing long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn, wearing mosquito repellent during the same hours, continue the practice of dumping standing water and using mosquito netting when appropriate. If you notice stagnant water on a neighboring property, please notify the Board of Health at 781-293-6768.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has information on West Nile and EEE:
For more information regarding Halifax's response plan, call the Board of Health at (781) 293-6768. To request spraying of your yard call the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Program at (781) 585-5450. The Halifax Board of Health would like to remind everyone to take precautions when they are outside such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants if you must be outside, avoid dusk to dawn activities.
You can pick up a copy of the fact sheets on mosquitoes at the Board of Health Office and Holmes Public Library.
Adult Literacy Program: Do you or someone you know need help with English reading or writing? Habla Ingles? Uste quiere ayuda? Parlez vous anglais? Voulez-vous l'aide? Parlate Inglese? Volete l'aiuto? The Adult Literacy Program is a new program designed to help our adult residents improve their English speaking, reading and writing skills with the goal of advancing their employment opportunities and improving their social skills. If you know anyone who would benefit from this free program please contact Elaine at the Holmes Public Library at (781) 293-2271. If you are interested in becoming a tutor in this program and taking a free training class to help improve someone's life, please call Elaine at the Holmes Public Library to find out about the details.
Note: Water restrictions - As of July 6, 2010, the water restriction will be enforced. Watering is allowed from 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m. from hand held hoses only, based on an odd and even system. If you live in an odd numbered home you can water on odd number days and vice versa. Hand held hoses only. No sprinklers. The Board of Water Commissioners would appreciate it if people would cooperate and conserve as much water as possible to avoid a TOTAL WATER BAN. If these restrictions are not adhered to the following fines will be enforced: 1st Offense - Verbal Warning, 2nd Offense - $50.00 fine, 3rd Offense - $100.00 fine, 4th Offense - Court Action Will Be Taken. The increased demand we have experienced can threaten public safety and the quality of public drinking water. In extreme cases, high water use can threaten the ability of municipalities to store water for water pressure and fire protection purposes. Watering during the heat of the day does not help your lawn and wastes water. If you have a well, please go to the Board of Health and obtain a well or irrigation well number. This number must be posted on the front lawn. In order to avoid the Water Department or Police, who enforce the policy, from stopping at your house, please follow the rules.
Note: The recycling calendar for July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010 is available in Word format or as a Adobe Acrobat (pdf) document.
Old Colony commuter rail service: Tie replacement work will be done on the Middleboro-Lakeville, Plymouth-Kingston lines and the merged lines from Braintree to South Station during the next two years. The schedule for the work has not been determined, but it appears that it will not begin (with changes in the rail schedule) until 2011. Once the Town receives an update, the new information will be posted.
We now have information in the following categories:
Some files on this site or files for which this site contains links are in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format. You can download a free copy of Acrobat.