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BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
July 26, 1984
A scheduled special meeting of the Board of Health was held Thursday,
July 26, 1984 at 8:00 p.m. in Room G-1 of the Town Office Building. Members
present were: James Lambie, Chairman; Linda Roemer, Ph.D., Donald A.
Goldmann, M.D., George A. Smith, Jr., R.S., Director of Public Health and
Mr. David Henley, Superintendent of the East Middlesex Mosquito Control
Project.
The meeting was held to discuss the current mosquito situation and the
direction in which our program should be headed now that the Massachusetts
Department of Public Health has issued a mosquito/encephalitis warning.
The warning was issued on July 25, 1984 by Health Commissioner Bailus
Walker.
Mr. Smith indicated that the cable T.V. messages have been issued every
week to ten days and that the hot line was working. Brochures are available
at all locations.
David Henley reviewed the situation by reviewing liason activities
between his project and the State Health Department.
The state detected Highland "J" virus three weeks ago, however, last
week a large increase in the amount of Highland "J" virus was noted. This
concentration of virus is considered to be above normal.
The State Department of Public Health is concerned because although Highland
"J" is considered benign with respect to humans it is believed that this virus
is an effective precursor to EEE. EEE begins to appear 2-3 weeks after
Highland "J" isolates are determined.
There has also been a healthy increase in Culiseta melanura mosquito
populations in light trap collections.
Further concern is directed at our present weather pattern, hot, humid
and rainy conditions. Predicted rain for this coming weekend, July 27, 28,
and 29 will certainly have a sure impact on mosquito breeding.
If the high amounts of Highland "J" translates into Eastern Equine
Encephalitis and we have a resultant increase in the biting mosquito
population, this may lead to the amplification of EEE throughout the high
risk areas.
The pattern developing seems to indicate that we will have a_problem
developing in Plymouth and Bristol Counties toward mid-August. We could
expect a problem here toward the end of August.
Considering this information the Board concurred with Mr. Henley that if
predicated rain materilizes we would begin increased larviciding as of July
30, 1984. The following week we could be in a postion to localized backpack
adulticiding.
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Mr. Smith briefly reviewed his conversation with Dr. George Grady on July
20, 1984 which basically parallels David Henley's report.
Mr. Smith also reported to the Board of Health that he will be entering
the hospital on Sunday for surgery. He expects that he will be out of work
for several weeks.
He also reported that he has made arrangements with area health officers
in Waltham and Framingham to provide assistance if necessary. He felt that
Debbie Halko was capable of handling the ongoing responsibilities of
Sanitarian and that the office staff are quite competent.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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