Mosquitoes in North Hampton test positive for EEE

NORTH HAMPTON — A batch of mosquitoes collected in North Hampton has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported Monday.

This finding comes amid confirmed human cases of EEE in Hampstead and Kensington, including one fatality.

Four horses have died from EEE this season in Danville, Dunbarton, Kensington and Northwood.

Mosquitoes carrying EEE have also been detected in Stratham, Danville, East Kingston, Fremont, Hampstead, Kingston, Kensington and Newton.

Additionally, mosquitoes in Portsmouth tested positive for West Nile Virus.

EEE is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that has fed on an infected bird.

New Hampshire’s last human cases occurred in 2014, with three cases and two fatalities.

While the risk of infection is low, EEE is a serious disease.

Symptoms typically appear 4 to 10 days after a bite from an infected mosquito and can include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.

There is no human vaccine for EEE, and treatment consists of supportive care.

Health officials advise using EPA-approved mosquito repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves when outdoors.

Residents are urged to remove standing water from their properties to reduce mosquito breeding sites.

Dragon Mosquito Control, the town’s contractor, continues to treat standing water and trap adult mosquitoes until late fall.

The state lab in Concord will test mosquitoes for diseases through mid-October.

The threat of mosquito-borne diseases is expected to persist until the first hard freeze or snowfall.