It's Mosquito Season in Salem

It's mosquito season in Salem, and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents and visitors alike to take precautions against West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

The most likely time for mosquitoes to spread disease, according to DHHS, is from June through September.

During last year's mosquito season, nine batches of mosquitoes in New Hampshire tested positive for EEE and 41 batches for West Nile Virus. There were four veterinary cases of EEE (two horses and two emus), but none detected for West Nile Virus. There was also a human case of West Nile, but no human EEE cases.

A year earlier, in 2011, nine batches of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile Virus and none for EEE. In 2010, one animal and one person tested positive for West Nile Virus and one animal for EEE.

"Those numbers illustrate the unpredictability of these viruses," said Dr. José Montero, director of public health at DHHS. "The weather plays a role, as do environmental factors, so we just don't know from year to year what will happen."

EEE and West Nile Virus are transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. 

EEE carries a high mortality rate for those who contract the serious encephalitis form of the illness.  Symptoms may also include high fever, severe headache and a sore throat. A stiff neck is also a symptom of the severe form of the disease, which can lead to seizures and coma. Symptoms usually occur four to 10 days after someone is bitten.

For those bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile Virus, the risk of contracting the infection is low, and in the majority of cases, there are no symptoms or just mild, flu-like symptoms. West Nile Virus can cause meningitis and can be a serious threat to seniors, young children and those with compromised immune systems. If illness does occur, it typically happens within three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Precautionary steps to take to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes include:

• Using an insect repellent containing DEET, picardin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 against mosquitoes.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants when outdoors when mosquitoes are biting.
• Make sure to remove standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed, such as in tires, flower pots or pool covers.
• Make sure screens on windows and doors fit tightly and do not have holes.
• Monitor yourself if you are bitten by mosquitoes and tell your health care provider if you develop any symptoms of West Nile Virus or EEE.