Mosquito Spraying Extended to All City Parks and Fields

The city has extended spraying for mosquitoes to all city parks and fields as officials attempt to stave off the threat of mosquito-borne illness.

It had been announced Thursday that spraying would occur at Ghiloni Park, Ward Park, Stevens Park at the lower field, Kelleher Field and the Whitcomb Middle School softball field. The decision was made by city officials to expand spraying to all the city's parks and fields early Friday.

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The ban on activity from dusk until dawn has also been extended throughout all city parks and field. This ban will be in place indefinitely, said officials.

The ban and spraying is being done in the interest of public health, officials said.

The decision came following Marlborough being listed at a high level of risk for EEE and WNV by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health with Westborough being listed at a critical level. The state has had 13 cases of WNV, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The fourth case of EEE was confirmed by the DPH Thursday, according to Boston's Channel 7 News.

City officials encourage residents to use insect repellant and wear long sleeve clothing among those who plan to be outdoors in the evening hours.