Mosquitoes In Atkinson, Hampstead Have Jamestown Canyon Virus: NH DHHS

CONCORD, NH —The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced Monday that it has identified this year's first batches of mosquitoes to test positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV).

According to the DHHS, the first batch of JVC-positive mosquitoes was collected in Atkinson on August 2, while the second JVC-positive batch of mosquitoes was collected in Hampstead two days later.

JVC is an arboviral disease, which means it is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

The DHHS said it has raised the arboviral risk level to "low" for Atkinson and Hampstead. The risk level measures how likely a mosquito is to transmit infections to a person.

The DHHS said that symptoms of JVC can include: fever, muscle aches, fatigue, dizziness, headache and in severe cases the virus infects the central nervous system and can cause brain inflammation (encephalitis) and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

Laboratory testing is required to determine if somebody is infected with JVC because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses, the DHHS said.

Currently, there is no treatment for JCV, though patients are given supportive care, like hydration, depending on their symptoms. There also are no vaccines, according to health officials.

Reports of JCV in humans have increased in North America in recent years, though awareness and testing also have increased, health officials said.

The DHHS said the first report of a person with JCV in New Hampshire was in 2013, and the agency has identified 13 total cases.

In addition to JCV, other arboviral diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV) may increase during mosquito season in the summer and fall.

The DHHS lists several ways for residents to protect themselves from these diseases, including: eliminating the habitat and breeding locations of mosquitoes and ticks, being aware of where mosquitoes and ticks live and protecting themselves from bites.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so residents should remove outdoor items that hold water like old tires, cans, plastic containers and ceramic pots. People also should drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers to ensure proper drainage.

Additionally, residents should empty and cover swimming pools, wading pools and hot tubs when they are not in use, turn over wheelbarrows and change water in birdbaths at least twice a week.

Ticks, meanwhile, live on hosts like rodents and deer. So, residents should minimize the areas where those animals congregate.

Mosquitoes and ticks also live in weeds, tall grass and brush.

DHHS said there are many ways residents can protect themselves from bites, like:

• Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all screens in the home that have tears or holes.
• 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.
• When outside, wear protective clothing such as socks, long-sleeved shirts and long pants (preferably tucked in socks). Light-colored clothing helps you spot ticks.
• Consider avoiding outdoor activities in the early morning and evening, when mosquitoes are most likely to be biting.
• Avoid tick-infested areas. If you are in tick-infested areas, walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter at trail edges.
• Wear insect repellents, such as one containing 30 percent or less DEET (N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide), Picaridin, para-menthane-diol, IR3535, or 2-undecanone or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Treat clothing with permethrin, which is odorless when dry.
• Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and bug zappers have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.
• Shower as soon as possible after spending time outdoors.
• Check for ticks daily on people and pets. Ticks can hide under the armpits, behind the knees, in the hair and in the groin.
• Wash and dry clothing after being outdoors. Tumble clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed.
• Early removal of ticks can reduce the risk of infection. Inspect all body surfaces carefully, and remove attached ticks with tweezers.
• Monitor health closely after a tick bite and be alert for symptoms of illness. Contact a physician to discuss testing and treatment.

DHHS said anyone with questions about vector-borne illnesses can call its Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 603-271-4496, hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Information also is available on the DHHS website and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.