EEE: Facts and the Impact on Plymouth
Eric Herlihy
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: News
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.
"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.