- Bird Tests Positive In First EEE Case
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- By Adam Leech
Rockingham News
New Hampshire
9-26-5
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- A dead bird found off Sunden Parkway tested positive
for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), marking the 1st documented case
of the potentially deadly disease in town.
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- The town sent 3 birds to the state laboratory in Concord
last week [3rd week September 2005], according to Officer Tona McCarthy.
One wren came back positive for EEE, and 2 blue jays tested positive for
the West Nile virus.
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- The positive tests come in the wake of the death of a
20 year old from Newton, who contracted EEE and subsequently died from
the virus on 9 Sep 2005. Health officer Richard Mailhot said the positive
test for EEE was the 1st in Raymond. There are a substantial amount of
wetlands and mosquito activity in town, he said, but the spread of the
virus depends highly on the migratory patterns of birds.
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- Raymond does not spray for mosquitoes. Towns that have
had dead birds with EEE and West Nile in recent years, such as Newton and
Kingston, hire companies in the spring to kill the mosquito larvae in mosquito
habitats. Both towns are scheduled to disperse an aerosol spray that kills
adult mosquitoes.
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- While spraying does diminish the number of mosquitoes,
there is no way to get rid of all of them, which is why state officials
have asked residents to take proper precautions to avoid being bitten.
Mailhot said he is recommending residents limit early-morning and late-evening
outdoor activities, use insect repellent that contains DEET, and wear long
sleeves and pants when possible.
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- "In general, mosquito bites are something to be
avoided whenever possible," said Mailhot. "We just need to be
more vigilant in how we protect ourselves." McCarthy said he's seen
an influx of calls to pick up dead birds since the woman's death, which
he said made the community more aware of the risk in contracting EEE.
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- "Since the incident with my fellow officer, I think
people are being more cautious," said McCarthy, adding that no more
birds will be accepted, because both viruses are confirmed. "Now that
Raymond tested positive, it's here."
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- There are 5 confirmed human cases of EEE in the state
this year [2005]. One has resulted in a death, but state officials said
there is a 35 percent chance of death once the virus is contracted. The
death of the woman was the 1st in the state in 25 years.
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- EEE is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.
When a mosquito bites an infected bird, it becomes infected. The infected
mosquito could then bite a human and transmit the infection.
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- Though horses are most susceptible to contracting the
virus, neither horses nor humans can transmit the virus to mosquitoes or
other animals. EEE is mainly transmitted between birds and certain types
of mosquitoes.
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- Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to inflammation
of the brain, coma or death, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC). State officials said mosquito activity will decrease
as the weather gets cooler and should be negligible once the 1st frost
comes, likely sometime in October.
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- "Fall is approaching soon, but this is no time to
drop our guard," said John Stephen, commissioner of the state Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS). "We continue to see substantial
evidence that both EEE and West Nile virus are actively present in New
Hampshire. I hope everyone continues to take preventive measures to protect
themselves from these diseases."
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- DHHS has set up a toll-free hotline for EEE/West Nile
virus at (866) 273-6453. Anyone with questions can call from 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. for information about these viruses. For information go to the
CDC website http://www.cdc.gov, or the DHHS website http://www.dhhs.nh.gov.
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- http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/rock/09232005/news/64554.htm
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- EEE Found In Pennsylvania
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- 9-16-5
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- HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania
departments of Agriculture, Health and Environmental Protection today reported
the first positive mosquito sample for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
The mosquito pool was found in Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County.
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- EEE is a rare but serious disease that causes an inflammation
of the brain tissue. In most cases, infections with EEE do not cause any
symptoms. When symptoms do occur in humans, they generally appear 5 to
15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include high
fever, fatigue, muscle ache, stiff necks and tremors or confusion. In severe
cases, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) occurs, which may lead
to convulsions, coma and death.
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- "Historically, this disease has not had a significant
human presence in Pennsylvania, and the chances of anyone contracting it
remain very low, said state Health Arbovirus Coordinator Marjorie Ebenezer,
MD, MPH. "By taking the prudent precautions of wearing insect repellant;
proper clothing - long sleeves and pants when possible; avoiding wetland
and marsh areas - especially at dawn and dusk; and removing standing water
on your property where mosquitoes can breed, you can further reduce your
chances of contracting this, or other, mosquito borne diseases."
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- While not prevalent in Pennsylvania, EEE has been identified
in neighboring states and fatalities have occurred this year in horses
and humans in other states.
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- In the last 30 years there have been two reported human
cases of EEE in Pennsylvania.
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- Because it is mosquito-borne disease, the highest risk
of infection to humans is during the mid-summer to early fall, and often
near swampy or wetland areas. The virus that causes EEE is spread only
by the bite of a mosquito. People and horses with EEE do not spread the
disease.
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- Monroe County Vector Control, DEP's Northeast Region
and Central Office staff have increased the surveillance activity in the
area of the positive EEE collection. If the increased surveillance identifies
sufficient adult mosquito species capable of transmitting the disease to
people, county and DEP personnel are prepared to conduct adult mosquito
control in those areas where human populations are at risk for EEE transmission.
Larval control of all mosquito production sites continuously occurs in
the county.
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- The same precautions used for West Nile virus should
be used for EEE. Use effective repellants on your clothing and on exposed
skin, wear long sleeves and long pants, and be sure you have window screens
that keep insects out. Avoid providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes"remove
containers, old tires, birdbaths, any objects from your property where
water can collect and mosquitoes can lay eggs. For standing water that
can't be eliminated, homeowners can buy Bti products at lawn and garden,
outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring
bacteria kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life
and plants.
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- EEE can also cause illness and death in horses. Symptoms
in horses include appetite loss, drooping eyelids and lower lip, aimless
wandering and circling, blindness, and inability to stand. The infection
in horses is fatal in more than 90 percent of the cases, and death usually
occurs in two to three days.
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- The state agriculture department recommends that horse
owners consult their veterinarians about vaccinating their animals.
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- EEE can also affect ratites (ostriches, rheas and emus).
For more information on prevention options for ratite owners, contact
your veterinarian.
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- For more information about Eastern Equine Encephalitis
(EEE) virus go to www.westnile.state.pa.us.
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- http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?A=390&Q=136104
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- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD Please visit my "Emerging
Diseases" message board at
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- http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?
- Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
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- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa Go with God and in Good
Health
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