Vermont Says EEE Threat Reduced, But Not Eliminated

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Pat Bradley

Published September 17, 2012 at 4:15 PM EDT

The Vermont Health Department says efforts to control mosquitoes in Brandon and Whiting are working, but it doesn't eliminate the threat of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Earlier this month the state used aircraft to spray pesticides in Whiting and Brandon and the number of mosquitoes captured in traps in the area has been cut in half.

But Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen says that while the risk of EEE infection in Vermont has been reduced, there is no way to kill enough mosquitoes to eliminate the threat.

An elderly man has died of EEE and another person was sickened.

The pesticide was sprayed over two grids centered around Whiting and Brandon on the evenings of Sept. 6 and 7.