Mosquito spraying is planned in several New Hampshire towns after a Hampstead man died from Eastern equine encephalitis.Steven Perry, 41, of Hampstead, died after he was hospitalized with a severe central nervous system disease caused by the virus, health officials said.Officials notified Hampstead residents that town fields would be closed Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. to allow Dragon Mosquito Control to spray the fields and outdoor areas of the schools. The spraying will be done from 5 to 9:30 p.m., and officials said locations can be used the next day.The Sanborn Regional School District also announced plans to spray for mosquitoes in schools, parks and recreation areas of SAU 17 facilities on Thursday.Town officials in Kingston and Newton announced that mosquito spraying will be done in those communities, as well. Recess and outdoor activities in those towns are canceled for Thursday.”They’ve been sending out emails for the past week straight. So, they’re letting us know what they’re doing,” said Chris Malerbi of Hampstead.The last reported human EEE infection in New Hampshire was in 2014, when three cases were identified. Two of those people died.>> Link: Map of where mosquito-borne viruses have been detectedDr. Ruanne Barnabas, chief of infectious diseases at Mass. General Brigham, said about 95% of people infected with EEE don’t get sick or even really develop symptoms. Those who do become ill can experience fever, confusion, brain swelling or worse. “It is a rare disease, but of course when it takes a life, it’s 100% for that person and their family,” said Barnabas. Barnabas said there’s really no cure for EEE. Doctors focus on helping people feel better so they can fight off the infection.”We actually don’t have a specific treatment, so it would be supportive care, taking meds to reduce fever, being in the hospital if that is required to provide supportive care,” she said. “Interestingly, we don’t have vaccines either, although there are vaccines for horses.”Mosquito batches are tested for viruses in some New Hampshire communities in the southern part of the state. Mosquito-borne viruses have been found in nine New Hampshire communities this year, according to the most recent bulletin from the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control.This year, EEE was confirmed in a horse in Kensington. Another mosquito-borne virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, was confirmed in people in May in Gilmanton and Tilton.EEE has been found this year in mosquito batches in Kingston, Newton, Danville, Fremont and Kensington. Jamestown Canyon virus has been detected in Keene and Londonderry, while West Nile virus has been found in Manchester and Nashua.Health officials said people going outdoors, especially around dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, should use an effective insect repellent and dress in long-sleeved shirts and pants. “Making sure screens for windows fit tightly and have no holes are also good,” Barnabas added. If you start to feel flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches or joint pain four to 10 days after being bitten, officials say to call your doctor.
Mosquito spraying is planned in several New Hampshire towns after a Hampstead man died from Eastern equine encephalitis.
Steven Perry, 41, of Hampstead, died after he was hospitalized with a severe central nervous system disease caused by the virus, health officials said.
Officials notified Hampstead residents that town fields would be closed Friday starting at 4:30 p.m. to allow Dragon Mosquito Control to spray the fields and outdoor areas of the schools. The spraying will be done from 5 to 9:30 p.m., and officials said locations can be used the next day.
The Sanborn Regional School District also announced plans to spray for mosquitoes in schools, parks and recreation areas of SAU 17 facilities on Thursday.
Town officials in Kingston and Newton announced that mosquito spraying will be done in those communities, as well. Recess and outdoor activities in those towns are canceled for Thursday.
“They’ve been sending out emails for the past week straight. So, they’re letting us know what they’re doing,” said Chris Malerbi of Hampstead.
The last reported human EEE infection in New Hampshire was in 2014, when three cases were identified. Two of those people died.
>> Link: Map of where mosquito-borne viruses have been detected
Dr. Ruanne Barnabas, chief of infectious diseases at Mass. General Brigham, said about 95% of people infected with EEE don’t get sick or even really develop symptoms. Those who do become ill can experience fever, confusion, brain swelling or worse.
“It is a rare disease, but of course when it takes a life, it’s 100% for that person and their family,” said Barnabas.
Barnabas said there’s really no cure for EEE. Doctors focus on helping people feel better so they can fight off the infection.
“We actually don’t have a specific treatment, so it would be supportive care, taking meds to reduce fever, being in the hospital if that is required to provide supportive care,” she said. “Interestingly, we don’t have vaccines either, although there are vaccines for horses.”
Mosquito batches are tested for viruses in some New Hampshire communities in the southern part of the state. Mosquito-borne viruses have been found in nine New Hampshire communities this year, according to the most recent bulletin from the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control.
This year, EEE was confirmed in a horse in Kensington. Another mosquito-borne virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, was confirmed in people in May in Gilmanton and Tilton.
EEE has been found this year in mosquito batches in Kingston, Newton, Danville, Fremont and Kensington. Jamestown Canyon virus has been detected in Keene and Londonderry, while West Nile virus has been found in Manchester and Nashua.
Health officials said people going outdoors, especially around dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, should use an effective insect repellent and dress in long-sleeved shirts and pants.
“Making sure screens for windows fit tightly and have no holes are also good,” Barnabas added.
If you start to feel flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches or joint pain four to 10 days after being bitten, officials say to call your doctor.
