EEE

The Town has an active Mosquito Control Program all through year, beginning in as soon as the snow melts, and it carries through November 30th annually (with voter/funding approval).  As positive WNV or EEE tests happen within the season, we consider annual spraying at the ballfields and public areas at Ellis, Memorial Fields, and the Fremont Public Library and Safety Complex.  We do this annually as part of the program and the treatment lasts approximately a month. 

Testing generally continues at the State level until mid October annually.  The threat of mosquitos does not dissipate until the first hard frost.  The State has advised us that spraying can only be done with evening temperatures over 50 degrees.  We work with our Mosquito Control Vendor on these programs.

MOSQUITO SEASON

Mosquito season is in full swing and we all need to be aware and do our part to control them in our yards.  In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days!!

Prevention Guidelines:

     Eliminate standing water and other mosquito breeding locations.  This could include old tires, plastic containers, ceramic containers, recycle containers (should have holes drilled in them if left outside), pools and hot tubs not in use, wheel barrels, bird baths, children’s toys or any other item that could hold water. 

     Mosquitoes can carry diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), West Nile Virus (WNV) and Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) that could be spread to animals or humans.  The greatest risk for human mosquito-borne infection is between July and October but the risk of these diseases is present in NH until hard frost kills mosquitos. 

     Protect yourself from mosquito bites.  Mosquitos are most active evening, nighttime and dawn hours, you should wear protective clothing (long pants, long sleeve shirts and socks).  Use an effective insect repellent, such as one containing DEET.  Repellent containing 30% or less DEET are recommended for children and adults.

MOSQUITO AND TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES

     State Health Officials were in contact with Fremont’s Health Department in 2019 to advise of an adult residing in Kingston who was diagnosed with Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) and Powassan Virus.  While both are extremely rare, they can cause serious health problems.

     Jamestown Canyon Virus vs. Powassan Virus

Positive Facts:

Fremont taxpayers support active mosquito surveillance which is recommended by public health officials and allows us to quickly identify what viruses are present in our community in order to rapidly respond.  In addition to surveillance, there is an active treatment program for larval mosquitos and most of the treatment is in wetland areas (of which Fremont has many).  

Mosquito and Tick-borne illnesses can be prevented by taking precautions such as utilizing appropriate insect repellents (https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents), treating clothing with permethrin (https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disease-prevention/infectious-...), wearing long sleeve pants and shirts, eliminating sources of tick/mosquito breeding grounds, and checking clothing for ticks.

Resources

NH DHHS mosquito-borne disease website: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/arboviral/index.htm

Fact sheets Jamestown Canyon Virus:    http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/arboviral/publications.htm

Fact Sheet Powassan Virus:     https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/index.html

April Phelps, MSN, RN

Fremont Health Officer