August 26, 2008

Concord,  NH  -  The  New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services DHHS)  today  announced  the first positive test for West Nile virus (WNV)this year. A mosquito pool from the town of Kensington in Rockingham County tested positive for the disease. This is the first indication of WNV in New Hampshire  this  year  and  there have been no positives for Eastern Equine Encephalitis  (EEE)  identified  yet  this  year.  Last  year there were no positives  for WNV identified in the State but 6 mosquito pools, 2 animals, and 3 people tested positive for EEE.

            "This   is   not   unexpected,"  said  Nicholas  Toumpas,  DHHS
Commissioner.  "While  we  should all enjoy the beautiful weather and it is
late  in  the season, we cannot let our guard down. The best way to protect your  family  and  yourself  is  to  take  simple prevention steps. We urge everybody  to  use  effective insect repellent and try to wear long sleeves and  pants while outside at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

With  the  heavy  rains this summer, it is especially important that people
remove  any  water  collecting  on their property in artificial containers,
such as in flower pots or pool covers."

            DHHS  has  a  toll-free  hotline  for  EEE/West  Nile  virus at
1-866-273-6453 for information about these diseases. So far this year as of
August 23rd, the State Public Health Lab has tested 5,676 mosquito pools, 4 animals,  and  118  human  specimens from across the State for EEE and West Nile  virus,  but  this is the first positive. DHHS is working with medical
providers  and local health officials to ensure the public's health through
surveillance  for  these  diseases  and  proactive  prevention  and control
strategies.  Considerable  resources  about  EEE  and  West  Nile virus are
available on the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov.

            "We have continued our surveillance efforts this year for these
diseases  and  will enhance local efforts as needed through State-sponsored mosquito  trapping,"  said  Dr.  Jose Montero, Director of Public Health at DHHS. "I am hopeful that this WNV/EEE season will be short and that we will have  an  early  frost,  but  people  should  continue  to be vigilant with prevention  measures  such  as  wearing mosquito repellant until that time.

There  are  several  effective mosquito repellents available and people are
encouraged  to  choose  the  one  that  works  best  for  them  and  use it
consistently."



                                   # # #

   Prevention Guidelines for West Nile Virus and
                        Eastern Equine Encephalitis
   NH Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health

                                 Services


1.  Eliminate  standing  water and other mosquito breeding locations around your  property.

Please do not attempt to drain or alter natural waterbodies for  mosquito  control,  since  the  management  of  ponds  and wetlands is regulated  by  the  Department  of  Environmental  Services and any planned alterations  will  require a permit before work may begin. In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days!
Remove old tires from your property.
Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or other containers. Don't overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside.
Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs. If not in use, keep
empty and covered and keep covers free of standing water.
Aerate garden ponds or stock them with fish.
Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in birdbaths at least twice
weekly.
Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.

2.  Be aware of where mosquitoes live and breed and keep them from entering your home.

Mosquitoes  lay  their eggs in standing water. Weeds, tall grass, and
bushes  provide  an  outdoor  home for adult mosquitoes, including
several  species  commonly  associated  with  West  Nile virus and
Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
Mosquitoes  can  enter  homes  through unscreened windows or doors or
broken   screens.   Make   sure   that   doors  and  windows  have
tight-fitting  screens. Repair or replace all screens in your home
that have tears or holes.
Resting  mosquitoes can often be flushed from indoor resting sites by
using  sweeping motions under beds, behind bedside tables etc. and
 once in flight, exterminated prior to sleeping at night.

3. Protect yourself from mosquito bites.

If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours when mosquitoes
are most active and likely to bite, children and adults should
wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts,
and socks.
Consider the use of an effective insect repellent, such as one
containing DEET. A repellent containing 30% or less DEET
(N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) for children and adults. Use
DEET according to the manufacturer's directions. Children should
not apply DEET to themselves. Repellents that contain Picaridin,
oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 have also been determined to be
effective.
Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and bug zappers have not been
shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.


  For more information on West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis,
  call the NH Department of Health and Human Services toll-free West Nile
                         Virus Information Line at
    866-273-NILE (6543), or visit the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov.