A fifth human case of Eastern equine encephalitis has been confirmed in New Hampshire.The Department of Health and Human Services reported that an adult in Danville tested positive for the virus in early August and later died.Before this summer, the last time New Hampshire had any human cases of the mosquito-borne illness was in 2014. All five residents who were infected with EEE this year came down with their illness in August, health officials said.”For me, it’s reminiscent of 2005, when New Hampshire led the nation with EEE cases with seven and two deaths,” said Sarah MacGregor of Dragon Mosquito Control.Macgregor has been tracking, catching, and studying mosquitos in New Hampshire for more than 40 years.In all her years of studying mosquitos, 2024 stands out as one of the worst for EEE. “I’m looking at a japonicus, which is an imported mosquito and it carries just about any disease we throw at it” MacGregor said. “We look for the females because those are the only ones who collect blood.” MacGregor acknowledges it can be difficult to determine what is fueling the spread of EEE, but the first step is looking back at previous seasons. “You have to look at last season, and last season was rain, rain, rain,” she said. As cooler fall temperatures approach, experts say the mosquito population is thinning, which reduces the risk of EEE.However, they urge residents to take precautions since mosquitoes may still carry the disease. MacGregor recommends wearing long pants, long sleeves, and loose-fitting clothing to prevent bites. She also pointed out that mosquitoes can typically be found in standing water around homes, including in boats, kayaks, and bird baths. Getting rid of standing waters can help reduce the risk. As for next season, officials are uncertain about the risk for EEE. “I certainly wish I had a crystal ball to say ‘next year it’s gonna be worse or next year it’s gonna be better,’ but we’ll have to see what snow we get,” MacGregor said. Some communities continue to spray for mosquitoes. Spraying is scheduled to take place in Londonderry on Friday between the hours of 5 a.m. and 12 p.m.
A fifth human case of Eastern equine encephalitis has been confirmed in New Hampshire.
The Department of Health and Human Services reported that an adult in Danville tested positive for the virus in early August and later died.
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Before this summer, the last time New Hampshire had any human cases of the mosquito-borne illness was in 2014. All five residents who were infected with EEE this year came down with their illness in August, health officials said.
“For me, it’s reminiscent of 2005, when New Hampshire led the nation with EEE cases with seven and two deaths,” said Sarah MacGregor of Dragon Mosquito Control.
Macgregor has been tracking, catching, and studying mosquitos in New Hampshire for more than 40 years.
In all her years of studying mosquitos, 2024 stands out as one of the worst for EEE.
“I’m looking at a japonicus, which is an imported mosquito and it carries just about any disease we throw at it” MacGregor said. “We look for the females because those are the only ones who collect blood.”
MacGregor acknowledges it can be difficult to determine what is fueling the spread of EEE, but the first step is looking back at previous seasons.
“You have to look at last season, and last season was rain, rain, rain,” she said.
As cooler fall temperatures approach, experts say the mosquito population is thinning, which reduces the risk of EEE.
However, they urge residents to take precautions since mosquitoes may still carry the disease.
MacGregor recommends wearing long pants, long sleeves, and loose-fitting clothing to prevent bites.
She also pointed out that mosquitoes can typically be found in standing water around homes, including in boats, kayaks, and bird baths. Getting rid of standing waters can help reduce the risk.
As for next season, officials are uncertain about the risk for EEE.
“I certainly wish I had a crystal ball to say ‘next year it’s gonna be worse or next year it’s gonna be better,’ but we’ll have to see what snow we get,” MacGregor said.
Some communities continue to spray for mosquitoes. Spraying is scheduled to take place in Londonderry on Friday between the hours of 5 a.m. and 12 p.m.
