Mosquito spraying starts near Easton

LAKEVILLE -- State officials started the first of three planned days of aerial fumigations in Southeastern Massachusetts yesterday, hoping to cover as much as 100,000 acres in the first night in the battle against deadly mosquito-borne diseases.

One plane sprayed the pesticide Anvil about 7:30 p.m., starting in the northwest corner of the targeted area near Easton and working south toward the Freetown vicinity . Officials expect to use two planes tonight .

State officials decided Monday to spray 425,000 acres in Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties, after an unprecedented number of mosquitoes this summer tested positive for the potentially deadly virus.

``Our hope is that by spraying the mosquitoes now, we can reduce the risk as much as possible," said Dr. Bela Matyas , medical director of the Epidemiology Program at the Department of Public Health. ``The goal is to kill as many infected adult mosquitoes as possible. Human risk is greatest now; that's why we're spraying now," he said.

Spraying began as the state's first confirmed human victim of Eastern equine encephalitis remained in a two-week-long coma. Sheila Clark , 52, of Lakeville, was listed in critical condition yesterday at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital. Her husband, Bradley Clark , 50, said doctors induced the coma, but the medication was withdrawn Monday.

``It's up to Sheila if she wants to wake up or not," he said in a telephone interview.

Sheila Clark works as a sales representative at a steel manufacturing company in Franklin, her husband said. Sheila Clark ``enjoys the outdoor life" in the summer, entertaining guests, and gardening in her flower beds at the couple's 1- acre ranch, he said.

``We're always out," he said. ``Mosquitoes are just a way of life out here."

Acushnet resident Derek Ashworth , 23, who was confirmed as the state's second EEE victim last week, was listed in fair condition yesterday at Boston Medical Center.

Symptoms of EEE include high fever, stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. Symptoms appear two to 10 days after infection. The virus can cause brain inflammation and swelling .

The virus has been detected this summer in more than 50 mosquitoes, surpassing the number detected in each of the past five years. Four people were infected with the virus in each of the past two years. Last year, a Halifax girl and an elderly Kingston man died from the virus.

``They're hoping to [ spray] as much as they can, as long as the weather's on our side," said Vanessa Gulati , a spokeswoman for the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. ``They're really looking to spray the areas that haven't been sprayed first."

The first round of aerial spraying two weeks ago on 159,000 acres in Bristol and Plymouth counties killed about 60 percent of the targeted mosquito population , state officials said.

Some residents, including many organic farmers, had protested the controversial fumigation, the state's first aerial spraying in 16 years. Some also opposed the latest spraying.

Public health officials cautioned area residents to avoid going outside during peak mosquito activity periods, at dawn and dusk, and to wear mosquito repellent and long-sleeved shirts. Officials warn that this second spraying only diminishes the risk of contracting the disease .

Irena Mroz , 33, said she met someone at a birthday party last weekend whose daughter knew Ashworth, the state's second EEE victim. ``When you know someone who is connected to EEE, you think `That could be me, that could be my child,' " said Mroz, as she played yesterday with her 15-month-old son, Nicholas , in the sandbox of an Easton park. ``If people are dying from this, I'd rather have pesticides introduced to the environment."