Mosquitoes in Newton, Sandown tests positive for the EEE, according to officials

By PAUL FEELY
Union Leader of New Hampshire

September 25, 2018 9:44

State health authorities tested 4,135 mosquito lots for both EEE and West Nile virus, two tested positive for the EEA and 29 tested positive for West Nile. . (Shopping)

CONCORD – Public health officials say the first batch of mosquitoes in the state to be positive for equine encephalitis in the East this year have been identified in Newton and Sandown.

The EEE was first identified in New Hampshire in August 2004.

State health authorities have tested this year 4,135 batches of mosquitoes, 11 animals and 18 people for the EEE virus and West Nile virus (WNV). To date, in addition to the two positive lots of EEE mosquitoes from Newton and Sandown, 29 lots of New Hampshire mosquitoes have been tested positive for WNV.

"These EEE detections in mosquitoes are a reminder of the need to protect against mosquito bites to prevent EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist, in a statement. "Even with the cooler weather, there are still mosquitoes that are outside and biting. The most effective ways to prevent mosquito bites are to use an effective mosquito repellent containing 30% DEET, to avoid getting out at dawn and dusk and to eliminate stagnant water from the house where the mosquitoes breed.

According to public health officials, the symptoms of EEE often appear 4 to 10 days after the bite of a mosquito carrying the virus. People who develop EEE can develop a flu-like illness, including fever, headache, weakness, and muscle and joint pain. EEE can also cause a more serious infection of the central nervous system, such as meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Anyone with questions about mosquito-borne diseases, including EEE, can call the New Hampshire Office of Infectious Disease Control at 271-4496.

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