BUCKLAND — After the mosquito-borne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) made an unusual venture to western Franklin County, the Mohawk Trail Regional School District announced Tuesday it will shift evening outdoor activities to the daytime.
The issue emerged Friday when five western Franklin County towns — four are member towns of the school district — were declared at risk of containing the potentially fatal EEE virus by the state Department of Public Health. The announcement came after one northern Franklin County man older than 60 was exposed to EEE, a Department of Public Health press release said.
Heath and Colrain are said to be at a “critical” risk while Rowe, Charlemont and Shelburne are at “moderate” risk.
Critical communities are encouraged to cancel outdoor activities and stay inside to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito, while moderate towns are urged to take precautions to prevent bites like wearing repellant and covering up.
Rowe Nurse Sheila Litchfield said Friday that these warnings will remain in effect until the first frost.
Superintendent Michael Buoniconti announced the decision Tuesday in an email to the school community and on Mohawk Trail’s Facebook page.
While Buckland, where Mohawk Trail Regional School is located, does not have a state-issued risk warning, he said the building’s proximity to Colrain and Shelburne precipitated the decision.
Buoniconti said the only outdoor event that will need to change is the first home football game scheduled for the night of Sept. 13, if there is not a frost beforehand to kill mosquitoes. He said the game would move to Saturday afternoon, as was done when a similar outbreak occurred seven years ago.
He said sports practices finish before dusk, by 6 p.m. at the latest, and therefore will not be changed.
Reach Grace Bird at
gbird@recorder.com or
413-772-0261, ext. 280.