As the season continued, the State Department of Public Health closely 

 monitored the mosquito population for signs of virus and the organized mosquito 

 control projects supervised by the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board 

 provided important information on the numbers and types of mosquitoes via sur- 

 veys in eastern Massachusetts. 



Although the anticipated appearance of EE had been delayed, there were some 

 indirect biological indications suggesting that mosquito control efforts not be 

 slackened. The mosquito that amplifies the virus among wild birds was building 

 up to large numbers and the appearance of large amounts of Highland J virus (a 

 non-infectious virus considered to precede the isolation of EE virus) was evi- 

 dent in the traditional endemic areas of Bristol and Plymouth Counties. 

 Therefore, monies earmarked to supplement mosquito control programs in 1984 were 

 allocated to the Bristol and Plymouth County Mosquito Control Projects. These 

 funds were the result of an initiative led by legislators in Bristol and 

 Plymouth Counties for the purposes of intensification of mosquito control to 

 protect the public. The application of funds was coordinated through the State 

 Reclamation and Mosqutio Control Board. This year two human cases of EE have 

 been confirmed. A six year old girl from Framingham, Massachusetts contracted 

 the disease in August but Massachusetts health officials believe the infective 

 mosquito bite was aquired while the little girl was on vacation at the New 

 Jersey shore. During this time period, EE virus activity was evident in New 

 Jersey. A sixty year old woman from Foxboro, Massachusetts contracted the 

 disease late in the mosquito season this year. This case is more typical of the 

 first year of a multicycle appearance of Eastern virus. 



Since 1984 did not fit the usual historically characteristic pattern for a 

 third year of Eastern virus, it could be speculated that 1985 may be a year of 

 risk relative to Eastern Encephalitis. 



NEW MOSQUITO CONTROL MEMBERSHIP 



During 1984, many municipalities expressed interest to join existing 

 regional mosquito control projects. 



Mosquito control is a task that is best handled by well organized programs 

 that focus their efforts to reduce mosquito pest problems over relatively large 

 areas. In addition, public interest and support are essential to the success of 

 the mosquito control campaign. This year the municipalities of Marshfield, 

 Watertown, and Weymouth became new members of the Plymouth County, East 

 Middlesex County and Norfolk County Mosquito Control Projects. Also, towns such 

 as North Reading, Reading, Wakefield, Winchester, and Woburn have considered 

 joining the East Middlesex County Control Project in 1984. Membership of any 

 municipality is contingent upon adequate, financial support, documentation of 

 municipal majority vote for such membership, and approval of the State 

 Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board. 



GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT 



The State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board led an initiative to 

 aquire funding from the legislature to prepare a generic environmental impact 

 report relative to mosquitoes and the Commonwealth. As a result, funds in the 

 amount of $120,000 dollars were made available to prepare the above mentioned 

 document. Immediately, an Environmental Notification Form (EMF) was submitted 

 to provide the Secretary of Environmental Affairs and the general public notice 

 of the potential impacts of mosquito control activities in the state. 



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