PLYMOUTH – Two birds found in Plymouth have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) resulting in a shocked and panicked Plymouth community.
“Two [birds with EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis)] have been found in Plymouth in the last two weeks and their location is confidential,” said Deputy Chief Tom Morrison of the Plymouth Fire Department on September 26.
Morrison also said, “[The bird’s] exact location is insignificant to public health. EEE is in the area. We have sent a total of 4 birds to the state [labs] for testing and I have one more to send this morning.”
With this mosquito season almost at an end and winter arriving shortly, the fire department is looking ahead to next season.
Morrison states, “We have contracted with Dragon Mosquito Control, a New Hampshire company, to spray for next year. They are going to do tests and come up with a plan.”
Morrison continues, “We are going to go ahead and apply for spraying permits now because they take awhile to get. Then we will have them so we will be ready to spray if we have too.”
While killing the mosquitoes, which carry the virus, is important Morrison feels that “Prevention is the big thing.”
Prevention lists include these methods for fighting against mosquitoes: wearing long sleeve shirts, long pants, hats, and an effective insect repellent. Emptying anything that holds standing water is the best way to prevent mosquitos from breeding.
The rest of New Hampshire need to be prepared if the numbers from this year carryover to next year.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has reported that, since April 21st of this year, out of 192 dead birds tested in New Hampshire the virus was found in 49 of those birds.
Only 33 birds have tested positive for the less serious West Nile Virus which has been the major concern in recent years.
Since these viruses infect mosquitoes that bite birds, and those mosquitoes bite humans this has raised concern for public safety.
John Stephen, the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services, states, “We have certainly seen an unusual amount of EEE this season.”
The commissioner also hopes that, “everyone will take precaution until the mosquito season ends.” The severity of this disease and the fact that there is not vaccine or cure is cause for concern.
There have only been 5 cases of people infected with EEE in New Hampshire.
The virus is fatal 35% of the time and those who survive the virus have a 35% chance of permanent brain damage. Due to this, EEE is considered the most pathogenic mosquito-borne disease in the US.
In early or minor cases of EEE, patients show mild flue like symptoms.
In serious or advanced cases sudden and sever headaches and fevers can appear and be followed by seizures and coma. This is caused by a swelling of the brain which can lead to brain damage.
Kelly Labell a resident of Newton, one of the aforementioned 5 cases, died as a result of EEE on Friday September 9th. The minor flu-like symptoms were misdiagnosed twice in Labell’s case and by the time that the more serious problem was discovered, it was too late.
Labell’s death along with EEE appearing in the birds of 30 different New Hampshire towns will cause EEE to be a central issue when the mosquitoes reemerged next spring.
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A few facts on EEE you might not know:* EEE effects humans by infecting the CSF (Cerebral spinal fluid) causing meningitis (a swelling of the brain and/or spinal tissue) Symptoms can range from mild to life threatening, and if not treated can result in serious neurological damage.* Symptoms take between 4 – 10 days to develop.* The usually and best method for detecting EEE is by drawing spinal fluid.* EEE is NOT transmissible human-to-human or horse-to-human. Physical contact with an infected person or horse is not dangerous. Caution is recommended when dealing with infected birds since they do contain the transmissible form of the virus.* Anyone under 15 years old or over 50 years old are at the greatest risk, the immune system of most healthy adults can fight off the virus.* There have been about 200 cases in the US since 1964 with an average of 4 cases a year and a range of 0-14 cases.* The most cases have been recorded in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.* First discovered in Mass. In 1831 when 75 horses died form the virus.