Dear GISU Community,
The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) identified Alburgh, Burlington, Colchester, and Swanton as high-risk towns for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Health officials advise the best way to reduce the risk of infection is to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. Please note that school nurse and staff are not permitted to apply bug spray to students. We recommend families review the EPA’s resources to find the right bug spray and apply it before school.
Our primary goal as a Supervisory Union is to balance the importance of maintaining student engagement and activities with their health and safety. Spending time outside is an important part of a student’s day. We are committed to ensuring activities like recess and outdoor athletics can continue using the recommended preventative measures.
The VDH also strongly recommends that people in high-risk towns limit outdoor activities between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to reduce exposure to mosquitoes that may carry the virus. We have various outdoor activities at our schools, which are over by 6:15 p.m. We are currently evaluating the situation to determine whether any adjustments to after school outdoor activities are necessary. For the time being, all outdoor activities will continue as scheduled so long as they conclude by 6:15pm.
The VDH plans to keep these recommendations in place until the first hard frost kills mosquitoes, typically in late September or early October. We will continue monitoring the guidance provided by health officials and will update families and employees as needed. Additional links and resources follow.
May you and yours have a safe and joyful Labor Day Weekend.
Sincerely,
Lisa Cala Ruud
Superintendent
Additional Information:
The EEE alert poster is now available in Spanish. You can find it on the EEE website, and here is a link that will bring right you to the materials: www.HealthVermont.gov/EEE#materials.
Additional Information:
Press Release: https://www.healthvermont.gov/media/current-news-releases/mosquitoes-test-positive-eastern-equine-encephalitis-virus-grand-isle
EEE web page: www.HealthVermont.gov/EEE
Health alert poster: www.HealthVermont.gov/EEE#materials
Tips to protect yourself, family, and the community against mosquito bites:
Avoid being bitten. Cover skin as often as possible and avoid areas with high mosquito activity.
Use an Insect Repellent. Unsure which one to use? Use the EPA tool to Find the Repellent that is Right for You | US EPA
Remove mosquito breeding habitats- including standing stagnant water around the house and yard.
Use structural barriers for protection, such as window screens, closed home doors, and covering strollers and baby carriers in netting.
Stay alert, informed, prepared, and protected.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis | Vermont Department of Health (healthvermont.gov)
Prevent Mosquito Bites | Vermont Department of Health (healthvermont.gov) (including translated resources)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis | Eastern Equine Encephalitis | CDC
Reach out with questions.
Resources:
Mosquito Bite Prevention (attached document)
The link below is to Mosquitos in Vermont, which includes local mosquito surveillance
https://www.healthvermont.gov/disease-control/mosquito-borne-diseases/mosquitoes-vermont
The links below are a couple of additional CDC resources about EEE and how to control mosquitoes outside your home
https://www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-control/athome/outside-your-home/index.html