Breaking: Hampstead NH Person Died From EEE, Eastern equine encephalitis

EEE kills 1 in 3 people, is transmitted by mosquitoes. EEE has spread from MA to NH. Did it come from Bldg 257 on Plum Island? Will it keep spreading in the US?Developing.

Note, spraying against EEE has expanded to both Worcester and Plymouth Counties in Massachusetts. Spraying in NYC is still confined to the two richest boroughs, Manhattan and Brooklyn.

More news is pending from New Hampshire and New York regarding this and other mosquito-borne viruses and state efforts against mosquito-borne viruses. The occurances of EEE appear to e naturally occuring and unrelated to any activites at Plum Island, NY or to bioweapons in general.

Plum Island - especially Building 257 - is off-limits to visitors, a military zone, patrolled by naval and coast guard vessels, manned and patrolled on the island by armed feds, and administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

It does appear to be a coincidence that there is yet another cluster of EEE in the vicinity of Plum Island.

Plum Island, NY: a US Federal Government Biological Weapons & Life Sciences Research & Development Facility

WCVB Boston: NH resident dies of EEE in state's first human case since 2014, health officials say

by Veronica Haynes and Phil Tenser

HAMPSTEAD, N.H. —

A person in New Hampshire has died of Eastern equine encephalitis in the state's first human case of the virus in 10 years, health officials said Tuesday.

The person who died was from Hampstead, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The person was hospitalized with severe central nervous system disease, NH health officials said.

The last human EEE infection in New Hampshire was in 2014, when health officials reported three human infections, including two fatalities. In addition to the person with EEE, officials said the virus has been detected in one horse and seven mosquito batches in New Hampshire so far this summer.

In Massachusetts, 13 communities at elevated risk are being targeted for insecticide spraying this week between dusk and dawn this week, according to an announcement from the Department of Public Health and the Department of Agricultural Resources.

Mosquito spraying begins as several towns at high risk for EEE

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but potentially deadly disease that can cause long-term physical and mental complications for survivors. There are no vaccines or treatment for EEE.

"EEE can cause severe illness and possibly lead to death in any age group; however, people under age 15 and over age 50 are at particular risk," a MassDPH statement said. "EEE does not occur every year, but based on current evidence, a high risk of occurrence of human cases exists in 2024."

A man from Oxford, MA was diagnosed with EEE earlier this month.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that although rare, EEE is very serious and about 30% of people who become infected die. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.

People who survive are often permanently disabled, and few completely recover, Massachusetts authorities say. The disease is prevalent in birds, and although humans and some other mammals can catch EEE, they don't spread the disease.

The CDC says only a few cases of EEE are reported in the U.S. each year, with most infections found in the eastern and Gulf Coast states.

For the spraying, state officials said they planned to use a pesticide called Anvil 10+10, an EPA-registered product.

"Although special precautions are unnecessary, residents in the affected areas who prefer to avoid or minimize exposure can stay indoors during spraying," the announcement said. "People with known sensitivities to chemicals or existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are encouraged to stay indoors during spraying to reduce the chances of aggravating those conditions. Consumption of vegetables and fruits grown in the treated area or drinking water that might be taken from surface water bodies near spraying operations is considered safe."

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Mosquito safety tips from MassDPH:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools — especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.

If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources, Division of Animal Health, by calling 617-626-1795, and to the Department of Public Health by calling 617-983-6800.

watch videos and read more at:

https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-mosquito-spraying-eee-west-nile-aug-26-week-1724772596/61984622

youtube.com/watch?v=_uJbeQ9Hxu0

see also: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/08/27/metro/new-hampshire-resident-dies-from-eee/