Vermont
health officials are warning people who live in Pittsford and the surrounding
communities that they may be at increased risk for contracting eastern equine
encephalitis, or EEE.
Mosquito born illnesses, like
Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus are on the rise across the
country. The deaths this month of two Vermonters from Eastern Equine
Encephalitis have heightened concern about such illnesses here in Vermont.
The Vermont Health Department had to call off
aerial spraying to control mosquitoes in parts of Rutland and Addison counties due to weather conditions on Thursday. But officials say they hope to finish the job Friday night.
Vermont’s first two human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis
have been identified in Rutland
and Addison counties. And
now state officials plan to spray pesticides from aircraft as a way to control
potentially dangerous mosquitoes.
With record rainfalls, you can expect a record number of mosquitoes this year. On the Vermont Garden Journal, Charlie Nardozzi debunks mosquito myths and shares some advice for coping with mosquitoes without harming the environment.