First Frost Doesn't End EEE Threat

Westborough's EEE threat level remains at the state's highest despite the fall's first frost over the weekend, town Director of Public Health Paul McNulty said today.

However, "the risk has gone way down," McNulty said.

Westborough's parks, recreation fields and school fields have closed at sunset since Aug. 17 because the threat of Eastern equine encephalitis in Westborough was elevated to high on Aug. 16.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health elevated Westborough's EEE threat level to high, because human-biting, EEE-postive mosquitoes have been found here.

The state raised the threat level to critical, its highest, one day after the state agency determined that a Westborough resident was Massachusetts' first reported death this year from EEE.

The outdoor restrictions were expected to end with the season's first frost.

Westborough saw low temperatures of 32 degrees on Friday and 29 degrees on Saturday, according to AccuWeather.

However, McNulty said the state had not informed him that it was lowering Westborough's threat level.

McNulty said trapping data from the Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project is expected in a few days.

He suggested residents be mindful of the evening temperatures and dress accordingly.