Danger Mosquitos

NH Outdoors.com

Dangerous Mosquitoes

Two mosquito pools in Manchester tested positive for the West Nile Virus, according to state and city health officials who say it is the first time this season the virus has been found in mosquitoes in New Hampshire.

Lab results from the New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories confirmed yesterday that mosquitoes trapped at Wolfe Park, on the city’s West Side, and St. Anthony’s field, between South Taylor and South Jewett streets on the east side, tested positive for West Nile virus.

The death toll from the West Nile virus has risen to 16 as the disease continues to spread across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. Aug 23, 2002

West Nile virus, is transmitted by a mosquito and can result in encephalitis in infected humans and equine. Birds are the natural hosts for this virus which can be transmitted from infected birds to humans and other animals through bites of infected mosquitoes.

In 2001 the virus first appeared in the state and that four birds from Manchester, Salem and Nashua tested positive for the West Nile virus. To combat the spread of West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Since the virus was first reported in the country in 1999. New Hampshire had no reported human cases, but their have been several dead bird reports around the state. New York had its first outbreak that year — 66 cases of which seven died — and last year saw 22 human cases throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Old tires & containers are a good breeding ground for mosquitoes, you need to minimize the amount of breeding areas for mosquitoes.

NH has set up an information line to learn more about the virus. The number is 271-2404 or 273-6453. They are testing crows found dead for the virus to determine if it's in the area.

If you find a Bird: Use gloves when collecting a bird. Place it into a tied plastic bag and then inside another tied plastic bag. Attach the following information on the bag: Date collected, Location (County/town), whether the bird was found dead or was killed after being found.

While the Dept. of Health & Human services will try tack these breed of mosquitoes. Try to avoid wet lying areas or anything holding water, where mosquitoes may breed.

If you find a dead bird, do not touch it. Put on gloves, place the bird in a garbage bag and store in a cool, dry place... then contact your local health department.

Attach the following information to the bag:

Date collected, where you found the bird (county/town)

Your Name, Address and Phone number.

West Nile Virus is a disease that is spread by infected mosquitoes. So the best defense against the West Nile Virus is not giving them a place to breed.

Prevention:

Eliminate standing water - Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle that last more than 4 days.

Remove Old Tires
Tin cans, plastic containers
Make sure roof gutters are draining properly
Chlorinate swimming pools.
Aerate Garden ponds or stock them with fish.
Change water in bird baths (twice weekly)
Empty plastic wading pools when not in use

How to protect yourself from biting mosquitoes

Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing.

Use insect repellent products with no more than 35% DEET for adults and less than 10 % for children.

Follow label instructions when using insect repellents.

Make your own bug repellent.

Buy one bottle of citronella and wheat germ oils at your local health-food store. Fill an 8oz container about 3/4 full of wheat germ oil. Add 1 tablespoon of citronella oil. shake well, apple to skin. This recipe is natural, safe and can be effective against mosquitoes, gnats, chiggers, ticks and fleas.

* NE Journal of Medicine did a study on effectiveness. Repellent with 24% DEET worked for 5 hours, Under 5% DEET worked 1 1/2 hours. A soybean oil-based repellent worked for 1 1/2 hours. Products with oil of eucalyptus lasted 1-3 hours

Skin Repellent , may be your only defense from these deadly insects. Old tires & containers are a good breeding ground for mosquitoes, you need to minimize the amount of breeding areas for mosquitoes.

NH has set up an information line to learn more about the virus. The number is 1-866-273-6453.

Before 1999 the outbreak was common in Africa, the symptoms include fever, headache and fatigue. If illness occurs, it happens within 5 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

While the Dept. of Health & Human services will try tack these breed of mosquitoes. Try to avoid wet lying areas or anything holding water, where mosquitoes may breed.

Bug Repellent - Don't let this bug ruin your time Outdoors!

NH Dept of Health and Human Services

If you find a dead bird, do not touch it. Put on gloves, place the bird in a garbage bag and store in a cool, dry place... then contact your local health department. Attach the following information to the bag:

Date collected, where you found the bird (county/town)

Your Name, Address and Phone number.

Since the virus was first reported in the country in 1999. New Hampshire had no reported human cases, but their have been several dead bird reports around the state. New York had its first outbreak that year — 66 cases of which seven died — and last year saw 22 human cases throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

This year - 2001 there have been four human cases; two in Florida, one in New York City and one in Georgia. The Georgia victim died.

Prevention:

Eliminate standing water - Mosquitoes will breed in any puddle that last more than 4 days.

Remove Old Tires
Dispose of Tin cans, plastic containers
Make sure roof gutters are draining properly
Chlorinate swimming pools.
Aerate Garden ponds or stock them with fish.
Change water in bird baths (twice weekly)
Empty plastic wading pools when not in use

Make your own bug repellent.

Send us an