City of Lynn

Welcome to the Lynn Public Health Divisions Public Health Notices page. 
Here you will find any Public Health notices, including but not limited to: food/product recalls and
combined sewer overflows, that affect the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Lynn. 

January 19, 2025

Press Release
State Officials Suspect HPAI Outbreak Impacting Geese and Other Wildlife
Wildfire Smoke Events

"PLYMOUTH — State environmental and health officials are informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which very rarely infects humans, is suspected to be the cause of over 60 deceased Canada geese, swans, and other birds in Plymouth. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) are advising the public to refrain from handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick.

• Reporting wild birds: The public should report observations of sick or deceased birds if 5 or more birds are found at a single location using this simple form at mass.gov/reportbirds.
• Reporting domestic birds: The public should report sick or dead poultry or other domestic birds by calling MDAR’s Division of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795.
• Handling birds and other wildlife: The public should strictly avoid handling any sick or dead birds or other animals. Report sightings as indicated above or call the local Animal Control Officer.
• Keeping pets safe: Pets should always be kept away from wildlife. Cats are highly susceptible to HPAI and may die from an infection. Cat owners in affected areas should keep their pets indoors to prevent them from being exposed to infected wildlife.
• Hunting geese: While eating wild game meat is generally considered safe, licensed hunters can minimize risk from wildlife diseases by following best practices when handling and processing game.   

The recent outbreak at Billington Sea in Plymouth has impacted over 60 Canada geese, swans, and ducks. Smaller outbreaks of suspected HPAI impacting fewer than 15 geese at each location have been reported in recent weeks in other parts of the state. Officials responded quickly and are collecting, testing, and safely disposing of dead birds. Prompt reporting of sick and dead birds by the public will expedite testing and diagnosis in cooperation with state and federal partners who have been monitoring HPAI for several years.

Both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with HPAI. Raptors, waterfowl and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, although any bird species should be considered susceptible. Birds may be infected with HPAI without showing any signs of illness. Wild mammals, especially those that scavenge on birds such as foxes, can also become infected.

Humans are rarely infected with avian influenza viruses. Humans that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected. People with questions about the public health impact of HPAI can visit DPH’s Avian influenza webpage or call the Division of Epidemiology (available 24/7) at 617-983-6800.

For more information about HPAI, please visit MDAR’s Avian Influenza webpage."

Original Press Release: https://www.mass.gov/news/state-officials-suspect-hpai-outbreak-impacting-geese-and-other-wildlife

Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) 
Drought Update as of January 10, 2025

As a result of the recent normal to above-normal rainfall that the state received in December, drought conditions have improved. Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has declared the following: 

• Level 2 - Significant Drought in the Connecticut River Valley, Central and Northeast Regions, down from a Level 3 - Critical Drought last month
• Level 1 - Mild Drought in the Western and Southeast Regions, down from a Level 3 - Critical Drought last month, and
• Level 1 - Mild Drought in the Cape Cod and Islands Regions  

EEA continues to ask local partners to assist in disseminating this information to their communities. Attached is a one page “Drought Alert” that provides information on the current drought conditions and how individuals and communities across the Commonwealth can do their part in water conservation and drought preparedness and response. 

October 25, 2024 

Massachusetts public health officials urge
residents to get vaccinated before peak respiratory virus season
Dashboard tracking COVID-19, influenza, and RSV immunizations updated for the 2024-2025 season
Press Release from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health 

Original Press Release: Massachusetts public health officials urge residents to get vaccinated before peak respiratory virus season

August 16, 2024 -  State Health Officials Announce Season’s First Human Case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts 

Press release from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health 
Original Release Here: 
https://www.mass.gov/news/state-health-officials-announce-seasons-first-human-case-of-eastern-equine-encephalitis-in-massachusetts

EEE risk levels elevated in multiple communities 
 
BOSTON (August 16, 2024) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in Massachusetts this year. The person is a male in his 80s who was exposed in Worcester County. As a result, the risk level in the communities of Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster has been raised to critical, and in Dudley, Northbridge, and Uxbridge the risk is increased to high.
 
The neighboring communities of Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Leicester, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Southbridge, and Upton are now considered at moderate risk.
 
The season’s first EEE-positive mosquitoes in Massachusetts were announced on July 3rd from Carver. There also have been EEE-infected mosquitoes previously identified in Abington, Halifax, Kingston, Middleborough, Plymouth, Wareham, and Whitman in Plymouth County, Taunton and Westport in Bristol County, Barnstable in Barnstable County,  Dedham in Norfolk County, Sudbury in Middlesex County, and Amesbury and Haverhill in Essex County.
 
“This is the first time we have seen a person infected with EEE in Massachusetts since 2020,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “EEE is a rare but serious disease and a public health concern. We want to remind residents of the need to protect themselves from mosquito bites, especially in areas of the state where we are seeing EEE activity.”
 
Though rare, EEE is serious and a potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths, and five human cases with one death in 2020. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
 
“The risk from EEE is high in parts of Plymouth County and critical in parts of Worcester County,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. “In addition to recommending that people use mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered active ingredient and clothing to reduce exposed skin, we also recommend that evening outdoor events be rescheduled to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn. The mosquitoes most likely to spread EEE are most active during the dusk to dawn hours.”
 
People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.
 
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
 
Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.
 
Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
 
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.
 
Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors.
 
Protect Your Animals
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 West Nile virus (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.
 
More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information web page at Mosquito-borne Diseases | Mass.gov, which is updated daily, or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800. 

July 2024 - Stop the Spread of the Spotted Lantern Fly 

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