Northern Seacoast on heightened alert for triple-E after death of Hampstead man

Map showing areas of concern for potential EEEV infections; inset, Steven Perry of Hampstead who died from the disease (Map/DHHS; Perry/courtesy)

CONCORD - A 41-year old Hampstead man has died from easern equine encephalitis (EEE), the first such fatality in New Hampshire in a decade.
Steven Perry, who reportedly had no underlying health conditions, died while hospitalized after contracting the disease, health officials announced on Tuesday.
Farmington is the only area town identified as a low-risk for triple-E exposure.
Earlier this month the state DHHS issued a press release that includes preventative measures the public can take to guard against contracting Triple-E and two other mosquito-borne diseases.
"Mosquito-transmitted diseases can have long-term impacts on people's health," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan. "The risk for diseases like West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis will only increase as the summer progresses and we move into the fall, so everyone should take steps to prevent mosquito bites."
Mosquitoes become more active during the summer, when the weather is warm, the DHHS report notes. There are three diseases that circulate among mosquitoes in New Hampshire: Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV), and West Nile Virus (WNV). So far this summer, one mosquito batch from Keene and one mosquito batch from Londonderry have tested positive for JCV, while one mosquito batch from Manchester and one mosquito batch from Nashua have tested positive for WNV.
This year, there have been two New Hampshire residents identified with JCV infections, both adults from Belknap County who were hospitalized for their illness but have since been discharged, according to the state DHHS.
While the risk of JCV increases in the spring, the risk of EEEV and WNV increases through the summer and fall as the viruses spread among animal populations in New Hampshire.
Symptoms of JCV, EEEV, and WNV include flu-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. In some rare cases, the diseases may progress and infect the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.
Granite Staters can take steps to prevent mosquito bites and diseases:
• Protect yourself from bites. When outside, wear protective clothing such as socks, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Consider avoiding outdoor activities in the early morning and evening when mosquitoes are most active. Wear insect repellents and treat clothing with permethrin.
• Take precautions in mosquito habitats, including forests, marshes, and tall grasses. Be sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Remove outdoor items that hold water, ensure recycling containers and roof gutters drain properly, empty and/or cover pools that aren't in use, turn over wheelbarrows, and change water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
Please call DPHS at 603-271-4496 with any questions about mosquito-borne diseases. For more information about mosquitoes, the illnesses they spread, and how to prevent bites, visit the Mosquito Surveillance and Control page on the DHHS website or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. View the the latest map of mosquito-borne illness risk levels and detections in New Hampshire.