Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus Found In Manchester
The first batch of mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile Virus in New Hampshire this year has been discovered in Manchester.
The batch was collected in Queen City on Aug. 21, according to the state's health officials.
"This is the time of the season that we can expect West Nile Virus to be identified in New Hampshire," said Benjamin Chan, the state's epidemiologist. "It is important for residents and visitors to take steps to prevent mosquito bites, as WNV and other arboviruses can be transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito.”
In some individuals, especially the elderly and people with weaker immune systems, West Nile virus can cause death. West Nile virus is most commonly spread to humans by bites from infected mosquitoes. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of the virus occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through the fall.
About one in five people who are infected with West Nile virus develop a fever and other symptoms, according to the CDC. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat the virus in people. While less than 1% of people infected develop serious neurological illnesses, West Nile virus can impact the brain and spinal cord, and can lead to encephalitis or meningitis.
TO READ MORE about West Niles Virus in New Hampshire CLICK HERE: https://patch.com/new-hampshire/bedford-nh/mosquitoes-west-nile-virus-found-manchester
Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites - Use Insect Repellent
Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women:
- DEET
- Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone
Find the right insect repellent for you by using EPA’s search tool https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
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