Board of Health Discusses Keeping Public Safe from Flu and Mosquito-Borne Illness

The October 22 meeting of the Board of Health opened with a message from Chair, Dr. Edward Weiner, about the impact of influenza on vulnerable populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2023-2024 flu season has caused between 17,000 and 100,000 deaths in the U.S. One-hundred ninety-nine of those were pediatric deaths, matching the record set in 2019-2020. Seventy to 80% of seasonal flu-related deaths and 50% to 75% of hospitalizations affect people 65 and older, said Weiner.

The CDC estimates that last year's flu season led to up to 75 million illnesses, 33 million medical visits, and as many as 900,000 hospitalizations. On a positive note, flu vaccines prevented an estimated 3,500 deaths, 105,000 hospitalizations, 3.7 million medical visits, and at least 7.4 million illnesses.

Flu vaccines are widely available, often at no cost, at the Board of Health, clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals. Dr. Weiner shared his personal stance, saying, "Well, personally, I'm a pretty darn bad gambler. Looking at the numbers, I don't want the flu. I got the shot."

The Board also heard from Brian Farless, Superintendent of the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project. Farless gave an update on mosquito control initiatives, which are aimed at protecting the public from other potentially serious illnesses such as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Farless broke down the services they provide to Burlington, including helicopter and truck-mounted spraying, treating catch basins, and keeping tabs on mosquito populations via trapping. He also noted that climate change has led to an increase the active time for mosquitoes and larger mosquito hatches.

Board members asked about additional services, such as maintaining ditches to reduce mosquito breeding grounds. Farless said this could be added but would need to be coordinated with the town's Conservation Commission. The Board also raised concerns about spraying near residents with insecticide allergies. Farless reassured them that they have a process in place where they don't spray within 300 feet of properties that have asked to be excluded.

Environmental Engineer, Christine Mathis, said at the meeting that hopefully the town is clear of mosquitoes for the season.

Also at Board of Health:

• The structural integrity of the abandoned bunkers at the Northeastern Campus hasn't changed appreciably, and a new evaluation will be done in 2029.
• A supervisory nurse has been hired; she is bilingual in English and Spanish, making it easier for her to communicate with many families in town, and has facilitated vaccinations for children in the office without having to hold separate vaccination clinics.
• The Tri-Ton Collaborative has hired a Health Communications Specialist to create a website for this collaborative between Lexington, Wilmington, and Burlington. She'll also work to create systems for communication between municipalities.