Press Release- No EEE Cases Reported in Pelham/Mosquito Control Applications
TOWN OF PELHAM
Office of the Selectmen
6 Village Green Pelham, NH 03076
Tel: (603) 635-8233
Fax: (603) 635-8274
Email: selectmen@pelhamweb.com
August
13, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
The Town of
Pelham received notification from the State of New Hampshire regarding a
confirmed case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a mosquito test batch
located in Pelham, New Hampshire. There have been no confirmed human cases
of EEE in Pelham. Out of an abundance of caution, the Town of
Pelham will implement spraying in our Town fields, parks and schools
immediately to reduce the risk of EEE exposure to our community. Citizens
should take appropriate measures listed below to reduce the risk of contracting
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE);
The Spread of EEE & WNV
EEE
and WNV are 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. Infected mosquitoes are the
primary known source for WNV and EEE transmission to humans. These viruses are
not spread by person-to-person contact such as touching, kissing, or caring for
someone who is infected. No known transmission has occurred from birds to
people, however, since dead birds may have the virus, one should not handle
birds or any dead animals with their bare hands.
Prevention Guidelines
1. Eliminate standing
water and other mosquito breeding locations.
In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts
more than 4 days!
o
Remove old tires from your property.
o
Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers,
ceramic pots, or other containers. Don't overlook containers that have become
overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
o
Drill holes in the bottom of recycling
containers that are left outside.
o
Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining
properly.
o
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot
tubs. If not in use, keep empty and covered and keep covers free of standing
water.
o
Aerate garden ponds or stock them with fish.
o
Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in
birdbaths at least twice weekly.
o
Turn over plastic wading pools when not in
use.
o
Remind or help neighbors to eliminate
breeding sites on their properties.
2. Be
aware of where mosquitoes live and breed and keep them from entering your home.
o
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
Weeds, tall grass, and bushes provide an outdoor home for the adult Culex
pipiens mosquito (the common northern house mosquito), which is most commonly
associated with West Nile virus.
o
Mosquitoes can enter homes through unscreened
windows or doors, or broken screens. Make sure that doors and windows have
tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all screens in your home that have
tears or holes.
o
Resting mosquitoes can often be flushed from
indoor resting sites by using sweeping motions under beds, behind bedside
tables etc. and once in flight, exterminated prior to sleeping at night.
3. Protect yourself
from mosquito bites.
o
If outside during evening, nighttime, and
dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, children and
adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts,
and socks.
o
Consider the use of an effective insect
repellent, such as one containing DEET. Repellent containing 30% or less DEET
(N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) are recommended for use by children and
adults. Use DEET according to the manufacturer's directions. Children should
not apply DEET to themselves. Repellents that contain Picaridin or oil of lemon
eucalyptus have also been determined to be effective.
o
Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and
bug zappers have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.
Brian McCarthy/Town Administrator
CC: Board
of Selectmen
Health Officer
Pelham
School Board
Pelham Emergency
Mosquito Control Applications
Emergency perimeter applications will
be completed on Thursday, August 15th and Friday, August 16th
Thursday, August 15th - Applications to be completed in the morning at the
following locations.
Muldoon
Park, Raymond Park & Lodge, Mammoth Rd. soccer fields, Newcomb Field, Lyons
Park and Village Green;
Friday, August 16th - Applications to be completed after
6:00pm at the following locations.
Pelham
Elementary School, Pelham Memorial School, Pelham High School and Veterans
Memorial Park;
Alert sent on
08/13/2019 at 2:57PM EDT
To submit a tip via text message text
PELHAM
and your tip to 847411
Alert delivered to the following groups:
Pelham Police Dept, Business Alerts, Press Releases, 24 HOUR ROAD TRAFFIC ALERTS, SCHOOL CLOSURES/DELAYS/EMERGENCY DISMISSAL, COMMUNITY EVENTS, and PRESS RELEASE
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