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Multiple Mosquito Sprayings Scheduled in Pittsfield, Lanesborough
Staff Reports,
11:06AM / Tuesday, August 28, 2018
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Updated: Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at 4:13 p.m.
 
Wednesday's spraying in Pittsfield has been moved to Friday. The Thursday evening spraying schedule remains the same.
 

 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Truck-mounted mosquito spraying will be done in five areas of the city following the state raising the risk level for West Nile virus.
 
On Aug. 17, the state Department of Public Health identified seven more mosquitoes collected in Pittsfield to be carrying West Nile. That makes 12 positive samples total for Pittsfield. High numbers of positive samples lead the department to raise the threat level to moderate statewide. 
 
Five areas of the city will be sprayed on Wednesday and Thursday with a truck-mounted adulticide spray to reduce population numbers.
 
Between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 2 a.m. Thursday, a one-mile radius from Route 41 and West  Housatonic  Street, from Lillybrook Road and West Street, and from Elm and Williams Street will be sprayed. On Thursday evening, beginning at the same times, the one-mile radius around Peck's Road and Wahconah Street and at Garland Avenue and North Street will be sprayed.
 
If it rains, the spraying schedule will be moved back a day. The project also plans to spray in Lanesborough on Wednesday between 10 p.m. and midnight in a one-mile radius of Putnam Road. It is unclear if and when spraying will be deployed in other towns.
 
The Berkshire County Mosquito Control project heads the collection of sampling and the spraying. In total, 31 mosquitos in Berkshire County were confirmed to be carrying the disease. Mosquitos collected in Clarksburg, Lanesborough, Otis, Richmond, Sheffield, Stockbridge and Tyringham also had positive tests. The project collects samples in 10 Berkshire towns. 
 
There have been no reported cases of West Nile in humans or animals in Berkshire County. But, there have been four humans statewide and one animal infected. The human and animal cases were just confirmed last week. The mosquito season is currently at its peak.
 
About 20 percent of infected people will have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands, skin rash on chest, stomach and back. One percent of infected people will develop severe illness but the majority of people who are infected will not have symptoms. 
 
The spray is deployed under certain conditions including a consistent presence of the virus or the presence of the virus plus the mosquito population surpassing a certain threshold based on species.
 
The Mosquito Control Project says the adulticide spray is low toxicity and quickly breaks down as to not leave any residue. The city's Health Department says there is no need for residents to make any special precautions other than staying indoors during the spraying.
 
However, the harmlessness of the chemicals has been challenged by a group of local advocates who have pushed to end adulticide spraying in the city altogether. They claim the chemical is detrimental to human health and the environment. 
 
Residents have the ability to request their properties be excluded from the spraying through the state's website or by contacting the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project 413-447-9808 or berkmc@bcn.net.
 
The city also provided the following advice to help residents protect themselves.
  • When outdoors, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and socks.
  • Use a repellent with DEET according to the instructions on the product label.
  • Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing holes in screens and making sure screens fit tightly to doors and windows.
  • Schedule outdoor events to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Remove areas of standing water around your home to eliminate sources of mosquito breeding.
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