The Massachusetts Department of Health announced on August 5 that it collected mosquitos in Wareham that tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

According to the department, EEE is a “rare but serious illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.” People who are less than 15 years old or more than 50 years old are at the greatest risk.

Plymouth County Mosquito Control will be spraying on Friday, August 9.

The department recommends avoiding mosquito bites by being aware of peak mosquito hours which last from dusk to dawn, wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors, and wearing insect repellent that contains DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. The department also recommends mosquito-proofing the home by draining standing water and installing or repairing screens.

For more information, go to www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

Spray routes and other information can also be found at:  http://www.plymouthmosquito.org/