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Eastern Equine Encephalitis Press Releases
NH Department of Health and Human Services
129 Pleasant Street - State Office Park South
Concord, NH 03301
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Public
Information Office
September 12, 2005
603-271-4957
DHHS Identifies Four Birds, Horse, Mosquito Pools that Have Tested
Positive for EEE, Birds with West Nile Virus
Concord, NH- The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division
of Public Health Services (DPHS) today announced that the State Public
Health Laboratory has confirmed four birds, a horse and two mosquito pools
that have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The birds
were found in Hopkinton, Salem, Nottingham and Plaistow. This brings the
total number of birds that have tested positive for EEE to 32 for 2005.
The horse was the sixth of the season to test positive for EEE and was from
Kingston. Two mosquito pools from Andover also tested positive for EEE.
Additionally, two birds tested positive for West Nile virus, one from Bow
and the bird from Plaistow that also tested positive for EEE. New
Hampshire has seen five confirmed positive cases of EEE this year in
humans, with the first death from the disease last week.
"We are continuing to identify EEE in new communities across
the state," said DHHS Commissioner John Stephen. "That is why we are
recommending that everyone take precaution, even if the virus has not been
identified in your community. Prevention is the most important thing that
we can do to avoid EEE and West Nile virus. That is why we strongly
recommend that everybody use an effective mosquito repellant, wear long
sleeves and pants when outside and drain standing water from near your home
and surrounding areas."
Anyone with questions about EEE or West Nile virus can call a
toll-free Hotline at 1-866-273-6453 from 8 AM to 4:30 PM for information
about these viruses. DHHS has also set up an EEE page on the Department's
website at www.dhhs.nh.gov for facts about the disease.
"Many people are outside this time of year and we feel that you
should continue to be active and go about you lives," added Stephen. "Just
remember the simple prevention measures that will protect your health and
safety. This is very important for those who spend considerable amounts of
time outside, such as outdoor workers or children who participate in
sports. Take precaution and enjoy the end of the summer."
###
Attached: Prevention Guidelines for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine
Encephalitis
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.
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 the adult Culex pipiens mosquito (the
common northern house mosquito), which is most commonly associated with
West Nile virus.
· 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 10% or less DEET
(N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) for children, and no more than 30% DEET
for adults. Use DEET according to the manufacturer's directions. Children
should not apply DEET to themselves. Repellents that contain Picaridin or
oil of lemon eucalyptus 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, call the NH Department of Health
and Human Services toll-free West Nile Virus Information Line at
866?273?NILE (6453), or visit the West Nile Virus Website at
*********************************
NH Department of Health and Human Services
129 Pleasant Street - State Office Park South
Concord, NH 03301
PRESS RELEASE CONTACT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Greg Moore (cell) 603-568-8159
August 27, 2005
DHHS Announces Two Suspect Human Cases Of EEE in
Manchester and Concord; Two Additional Birds Test Positive
Concord, NH- The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) today announced two new suspect human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in adult males in Manchester and Concord. The two individuals are hospitalized in serious condition. The State Public Health Laboratory also has identified two additional birds in Concord and Hooksett that have tested positive for the virus. DHHS expects to receive confirmatory test for the human cases on Friday.
“These new findings make the importance of prevention all the more critical,” said DHHS Commissioner John Stephen. “We are closely monitoring this situation and we are providing as much information as possible to local communities. DHHS stands ready to offer as much technical assistance as possible to every community across the state. We are sending out information to local health officers, medical personnel and other state agencies to make sure they are updated about EEE. To protect the public health, we are also looking at special populations and their needs.”
DHHS has a hotline for the public to contact for more information on EEE (1-866-273-6453) as well as the Department’s website at www.dhhs.nh.gov. DHHS is advising the public to remove standing water, wear long sleeves and pants and use an effective mosquito repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
“EEE is a rare, but serious, disease characterized by fever, headache and mental status changes,” added Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, Deputy State Epidemiologist. “Persons with these symptoms should seek medical attention and clinicians with questions about EEE diagnosis should contact DHHS for more information.”
**************************************
NH Department of Health and Human Services
129 Pleasant Street - State Office Park South
Concord, NH 03301
PRESS RELEASE CONTACT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Public Information Office
September 2, 2005 603-271-6526
DHHS Confirms Two Human Cases of EEE,
Identifies Five Birds that Tested Positive for Virus
Concord, NH- The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) today announced that final confirmatory tests for two suspect cases for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have returned as positive. This brings the number of confirmed human cases of the disease to four for 2005. Also, the State Public Health Laboratory has identified five birds that have tested positive for EEE. The birds were found in Hooksett, Auburn, Hopkinton, Andover and Pembroke and bring the total number of birds that have tested for EEE this year to 22.
“A number of the locations where we are identifying birds with EEE are new,” said DHHS Commissioner John Stephen. “This should be a warning that just because EEE has not been identified in your community, that does not mean it isn’t there. That is why we hope everybody will use effective insect repellant and wear long sleeves and pants while outside and remove standing water from around their property and surroundings.”
DHHS has set up a toll-free Hotline for EEE/West Nile virus at 1-866-273-6453. Anyone with questions can call from 8 AM to 4:30 PM for information about these viruses. Additionally, the Department’s website (www.dhhs.nh.gov) has fact sheets about the EEE and prevention guidelines. DHHS has provided information and educational materials to local health officials. This includes posters, flyers and other materials to areas where large numbers of people will gather outside, such as this weekend’s Hopkinton State Fair.
“We expect several more weeks of the mosquito season,” added Stephen. “We want people to take preventive measures and be vigilant. However, there is no reason for anyone to panic. EEE is still a very rare disease in humans, with only 200 cases identified since 1964, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I hope people will go outside and enjoy the Labor Day weekend- just take simple, common sense steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.”
###
Attached: Prevention Guidelines for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis
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.
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 the adult Culex pipiens mosquito (the common northern house mosquito), which is most commonly associated with West Nile virus.
· 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 10% or less DEET (N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) for children, and no more than 30% DEET for adults. Use DEET according to the manufacturer’s directions. Children should not apply DEET to themselves. Repellents that contain Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus 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, call the NH Department of Health and Human Services toll-free West Nile Virus Information Line at 866–273–NILE (6543), or visit the West Nile Virus Website at www.dhhs.nh.gov.
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