Mosquito control is planned in several towns in the state after a man in Hampstead, New Hampshire, died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Hampstead resident Steven Perry, 41, died after being hospitalized with a severe central nervous disease caused by the virus, according to health officials. Officials notified Hampstead residents that the town’s playgrounds will be closed starting at 4:30 p.m. Friday as Dragon Mosquito Control will be performing mosquito control on the school’s playgrounds and outdoor areas. The control will take place from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and the areas will be available for use the next day, according to officials. The Sanborn Regional School District also announced plans Thursday to perform mosquito control on schools, parks and recreation areas at SAU17 facilities. Town officials in Kingston and Newton announced they would also be performing mosquito control in those communities. Recess and outdoor activities will be canceled in those towns on Thursday. “They’ve been emailing us all week, so they’re letting us know what they’re doing,” said Chris Malerbi of Hampstead. The last reported case of EEE in New Hampshire was in 2014, when three cases were confirmed. Two of those cases resulted in deaths. >> Link: Map of locations where the mosquito-borne virus has been detected Dr. Luan Barnabas, chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham, said about 95% of people infected with EEE don’t get sick or even experience symptoms. Those who do get sick may experience fever, confusion, brain swelling, or worse symptoms. “It’s a rare disease, but of course if it takes a life, it’s 100% for the person and their family,” Barnabas said. Barnabas said there is no real cure for EEE. Doctors focus on helping patients feel better so they can fight the infection. “There really is no specific treatment, so they’ll be hospitalized if necessary to provide supportive care, taking fever-reducing medications, providing supportive care,” she said. “Interestingly, there’s also no vaccine, but there is a vaccine for horses.” In some areas of southern New Hampshire, mosquito swarms are being tested for the virus. According to the latest bulletin from the Department of Infectious Disease Control, the mosquito-borne virus has been found in nine areas of New Hampshire this year. EEE was confirmed in a horse in Kensington this year. Another mosquito-borne virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, was confirmed in a person in Gilmanton and Tilton in May. EEE has been confirmed in mosquito swarms in Kingston, Newton, Danville, Fremont and Kensington this year. Jamestown Canyon virus has been found in Keene and Londonderry, and West Nile virus in Manchester and Nashua. Health officials say people who go outdoors, especially during dusk and dawn hours, when mosquitoes are most active, should use effective insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. “It’s also a good idea to make sure your window screens fit snugly and don’t have any holes,” Barnabas added. Officials urge people to contact their doctor if they start to feel flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, muscle and joint pain, four to 10 days after the bite.
Mosquito eradication is planned in several towns in New Hampshire after a man in Hampstead, New Hampshire, died from eastern equine encephalitis.
Health authorities said Stephen Perry, 41, of Hampstead, died after being hospitalized with severe central nervous system illness caused by the virus.
Officials have advised Hampstead residents that the town’s grounds will be closed from 4.30pm on Friday as Dragon Mosquito Control sprays insecticide on the school grounds and outdoor areas. Spraying will take place between 5pm and 9.30pm and the sites will be available for use the following day, officials said.
The Sanborn Area School District also announced plans Thursday to eradicate mosquitoes at schools, parks and recreation areas within its SAU17 complex.
Town officials in Kingston and Newton said mosquito spraying will also be conducted in those areas. Recess and outdoor activities will be canceled in those towns on Thursday.
“They’ve been emailing us for the last week, so they’re letting us know what they’re doing,” said Chris Mallerbi, of Hampstead.
The last reported cases of human EEE in New Hampshire were in 2014, when there were three confirmed cases, two of which were fatal.
>> Links: Map of where mosquito-borne viruses have been detected
Dr. Luanne Barnabas, chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham Hospital, said about 95% of people who are infected with EEE don’t get sick or even show symptoms. Those who do get sick may experience fever, confusion, brain swelling or more severe symptoms.
“It’s a rare disease, but of course if it takes a life, that’s 100% the fault of the person and their family,” Barnabas said.
Barnabas said there is no real cure for EEE, and doctors focus on making patients feel better so they can fight off the infection.
“There really is no specific treatment, so supportive care – taking medicines to reduce fever, hospitalization if necessary for supportive care,” she said. “Interestingly, there is no vaccine, although there is a vaccine for horses.”
Mosquito populations in some areas of southern New Hampshire are being tested for the virus, which has been found in nine areas of the state this year. Latest bulletin from the Infectious Disease Control Bureau.
EEE was confirmed in a horse in Kensington this year, and another mosquito-borne virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, was confirmed in humans in Gilmanton and Tilton in May.
This year, EEE has been found in mosquito populations in Kingston, Newton, Danville, Fremont and Kensington, Jamestown Canyon virus has been detected in Keene and Londonderry, and West Nile virus has been found in Manchester and Nashua.
Health officials said people who go outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, should use effective insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers.
“It’s also important to make sure your window screens fit tightly and don’t have any holes,” Barnabas added.
Officials are urging people to contact their doctor if they start to experience flu-like symptoms – such as fever, chills or muscle or joint pain – four to 10 days after being bitten.
