The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that it has found the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in mosquito samples collected in Carver on June 30.
No human or animal cases of EEE have been detected so far this year.
The Carver findings increase the risk level of EEE to moderate in the communities of Carver, Kingston, Plympton, Middleborough, Plymouth, and Wareham.
Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, said, “Today’s finding alerts us to the presence of EEE in Massachusetts this year. Combined with the announcement of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in Massachusetts, we are asking everyone to take the necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites.” The commissioner further recommended that people use mosquito repellent when they are spending time outdoors so they can safely enjoy outdoor summertime activities without being bitten.
EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. It is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the DPH there were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019, with six deaths. In 2020, there were five human cases and one death. There have been no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown said the EEE activity in Massachusetts tends to occur in outbreak cycles. “When EEE is found in mosquitoes like this at the start of the season, the risk may increase throughout the rest of the summer. We rely on our mosquito surveillance program to monitor for the presence of virus to let people know when and where the risk is occurring.”
There are simple steps that you can take to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites, and the illnesses they can cause.
Protect yourself from illness by doing simple things:
• Use insect repellents any time you are outdoors
• Wear long-sleeved clothing
• Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours from dusk to dawn during peak mosquito season
• Repair damaged window and door screens
• Remove standing water from the areas around your home
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas.
Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.

PLYMPTON – June 13 compliance checks were conducted at Plympton Gas and Convenience (AARTI Corp) and Plympton Convenience and Liquor on Wednesday afternoon and both businesses were issued fines for selling tobacco to a 19-year-old male party without asking for ID or verifying age. The fines are in the amount of $1,000.00 and $2,000.00 respectively and are collected by the Town. The fines for selling tobacco to underage parties are $1,000.00 for the first offense, $2,000.00 for the second offense, and $3,000.00 for the third offense.
The Plympton Board of Health is a member of the Southern Plymouth County Public Health Excellence Collaborative, a group comprised of the Carver, Duxbury, Kingston, Plymouth, Plympton, and Wareham Boards of Health. The purpose of the Collaborative is to facilitate cross-jurisdictional sharing of public health services and is funded through a state grant for shared services. This grant has made it possible for the Plympton Board of Health to have these compliance checks done bi-annually without a direct personnel cost to the town.
The Public Health Excellence Collaborative program has also provided the town with other public health related services without a cost to the town residents. This includes a public health nurse that holds a wellness clinic on the first and third Wednesdays of the month in the COA office. Cholesterol and/or blood sugar checks are also available on the first Wednesday of the month. On the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month the nurse holds an Educational/Ask A Nurse Session in the Deborah Sampson

The Town of Halifax Water Dept. sent out a release specifying a strict water ban effective June 21, “in order to reduce the amount of water purchased from Brockton.
Sunday: NO WATERING
Monday: Even numbered Houses 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday: Odd – numbered Houses 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday: NO WATERING
Thursday: Even-numbered Houses 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: Odd-numbered Houses 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: NO WATERING
Car washing and the use of sprinklers are allowed during specified hours only. Due to high demand, watering on the weekends is not allowed.
The Board of Water Commissioners appreciates everyone’s cooperation in conserving water to avoid a total water ban.
If these restrictions are not adhered to, the following fines will be enforced:
First Offense – Verbal Warning
Second Offense – $50 fine
Third Offense – $100 fine
Fourth Offense – TERMINATION OF WATER SERVICE. $250 TURN-ON FEE.
The increased demand we have experienced can threaten public safety and the quality of public drinking water. In extreme cases, high water use can threaten the ability of Municipalities to store water for water pressure and fire protection purposes.
Watering during the heat of the day does not help your lawn and wastes water.
If you have a well, please visit the Board of Health, 499 Plymouth Street to obtain a well or irrigation well number. This number must be posted on the front lawn to prevent the Water or Police Departments from stopping at your house to enforce this policy. For questions, you should contact the Water Department by visiting their office at 500 Plymouth Street or calling (781) 293-1733. The Board of Water Commissioners appreciates your cooperation.

The Town of Halifax’s Fireworks Celebration, coordinated by the members of the Halifax Fireworks Committee, is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. behind the Halifax Elementary School, 464 Plymouth St. A variety of activities will be available during the event such as a DJ, food vendors, face painting, and more.
The Fireworks Committee is also seeking volunteers on Sunday, June 30, to assist with post-event cleanup. If you’re interested in volunteering, please e-mail Janice Hayward at [email protected] or Susan Hill at [email protected].
In the event of inclement weather, the Fireworks display will be rescheduled to Sunday, June 30, and the post-event cleanup will take place on Monday, July 1.
This event is made possible by the support and funding from residents, guests, sponsors, and local businesses. We are thankful to all who have contributed towards continuing the tradition.
Everyone is invited to take part in watching one of Halifax’s grand community events as we celebrate our nation’s birthday alongside friends, family, and neighbors. We hope to see you there!