Carroll County Coalition For Public Health

Archive for the ‘General Information’ Category

DHHS Identifies First Positive Test for EEE This Year
Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today
announces the first positive test for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) this year. A horse in Freedom
(Carroll County) was identified with the disease. This is the first indication of EEE in New Hampshire
this year. As of August 14, the State Public Health Lab has tested 851 mosquito pools, 4 animals, and
20 human specimens from across the State for EEE and West Nile Virus, but all have been negative
until now. Last year 73 mosquito pools, 13 animals, and 1 person tested positive for EEE but there
were no WNV positives in the State.
“Even though this summer has been dryer than normal we still expected, unfortunately, to see cases
of EEE and WNV,” said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at DHHS. “It is important to
remember, however, that both of these diseases are preventable. The best way to protect yourself and
your family is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. We want to urge everybody to use effective insect
repellent and to wear long sleeves and pants while outside at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are
most active. Also, eliminate places where water can collect on your property, such as pool covers and
flower pots, that allow mosquitoes to breed, and have your horses vaccinated.”
The public health threat declaration remains in effect this year, as last year, for Rockingham,
Eastern Hillsborough, Southern Merrimack, and Southern Strafford Counties. DHHS has a toll-free
information line for questions about EEE and West Nile Virus at 1-866-273-6453. DHHS is working
with medical providers and local health officials to ensure the public’s health through surveillance for
these diseases and proactive prevention and control strategies.
Considerable resources about EEE and West Nile Virus are available on the DHHS website at
www.dhhs.nh.gov. You can also view a prevention video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmNh_6V5Jg.

Attached: Prevention Guidelines for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Prevention Guidelines for West Nile Virus and
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
NH Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services
1. Eliminate standing water and other mosquito breeding locations around your property. Please
do not attempt to drain or alter natural waterbodies for mosquito control, since the management of
ponds and wetlands is regulated by the Department of Environmental Services and any planned
alterations will require a permit before work may begin. In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed
in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days!
Remove old tires from your property.

Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or other containers. Don’t overlook
containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.

Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside.

Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.

Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs. If not in use, keep empty and covered
and keep covers free of standing water.

Aerate garden ponds or stock them with fish.

Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.

Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.

Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.
2. Be aware of where mosquitoes live and breed and keep them from entering your home.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Weeds, tall grass, and bushes provide an
outdoor home for adult mosquitoes, including several species commonly associated with
West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Mosquitoes can enter homes through unscreened windows or doors or broken screens.
Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all screens
in your 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.
3. Protect yourself from mosquito bites.

If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active and
likely to bite, children and adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, longsleeved
shirts, and socks.

Consider the use of an effective insect repellent, such as one containing DEET. A repellent
containing 30% or less DEET (N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) for children and
adults. Use DEET according to the manufacturer’s directions. Children should not apply
DEET to themselves. Repellents that contain Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535
have also been determined to be effective.

Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and bug zappers have not been shown to be
effective in preventing mosquito bites.
For more information on West Nile Virus or Eastern Equine Encephalitis, call the NH Department of
Health and Human Services toll-free EEE/West Nile Virus Information Line at
866–273–NILE (6543), or visit the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov.

PRESS RELEASE:  Carroll County Coalition for Public Health renews contract with the State of NH.

The Carroll County Coalition for Public Health (C3PH) has been awarded a two-year contract to continue operations through June 30, 2012. The contract is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and managed at the state level by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The goal of the grant is to improve functionality of local and regional public health response plans, building on previous achievements.  C3PH will provide leadership and coordination of the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) to facilitate the readiness of regional, county and local public health emergency response partners such as hospitals, primary care, visiting nurse agencies, schools, emergency management, law enforcement and municipal leaders.  Part of the readiness includes building the Carroll County Medical Reserve Corps, (CCMRC) which is a group of trained medical and non-medical volunteers willing to assist in a large-scale emergency.

C3PH is best known for their successful role in the H1N1 response this past winter.  “Achieving the third highest per population vaccination rate in the state out of 15 Public Health Networks, and no recorded deaths from H1N1 in Carroll County, provides a positive platform to continue work with partners old and new.” states Executive Director, Carlene Ferrier.  “ H1N1 certainly tested our ability to collaborate, communicate and work efficiently.  But it also provided an opportunity to build relationships and partnerships  which will serve our continued work very well.”

C3PH has been offered an “in kind” contribution from Memorial Hospital, Carroll County Health and Home Care Services and Huggins Hospital of a shared desk space for Carlene Ferrier, eliminating the need for office space formerly in Ossipee.  “I am very excited about this generous offer by our partners,” said Ellen Laase, chairman of the C3PH Board of Directors. “In addition to conserving our resources, each location provides increased opportunities for collaboration.”

Laase formerly served as Point of Dispensing Manger in charge of vaccine administration at all 26 H1N1 clinics held in Carroll County this past winter.  She takes the reigns as the new board chair from long time champion of public health, Carol Tubman, the Director of Emergency Services at Huggin’s Hospital.

Theresa Kennett, the CCMRC Volunteer Coordinator will remain on staff building the CCMRC and Dana Littlefield, formerly the Pandemic Planning Specialist, will resume his role as Chair of the RCC when he returns from training at the Police Academy.

April 5-11, 2010 is National Public Health Week. The theme is A Healthier America:  One Community at a Time. The American Public Health Association (APHA) has a broad mission to make America the healthiest nation in one generation.  Like all things in public health, that can only happen at the local level;  the community level.  We are joining APHA in asking you to champion public health by making healthy changes- big and small in your families, individual neighborhoods, workplaces and schools.  What does this look like?  Add more fruits and vegetables to your family’s diet.  Build a garden.  Walk or bike to a school or work once per week.  Make sure your child is up to date on immunizations.  Try to quit smoking again and again because practice makes perfect.  Visit www.nhpha.org click on Advocate and click Bill Tracking Chart.  Select a Bill that is important to you and encourage your legislator to vote for it.  All of these individual and community level changes will add up to big health improvements for you and your community.  Make it is small, but make it count!

Scroll down to view the 2 minute video:  Healthiest Nation in One Generation