The New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services (NH DPHS) has identified a second human case of neuroinvasive Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in an adult who resides in Hopkinton, NH. This individual became ill on September 5, 2014, and is believed to have acquired illness in the Hopkinton, NH, area. This patient is currently hospitalized in stable condition.
The NH DHHS recommends the following:
1. Awareness of a second identified human infection with EEE virus in New Hampshire in 2014.
Vigilance is needed during the summer and early fall to consider mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus (WNV) and EEE in patients with compatible clinical features.
Laboratory testing may be arranged by calling 1-603-271-4496 during business hours or 1-800-852-3345, ext. 5300, after hours.
Forms and testing information are available at: https://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/dphs/cdcs/arboviral/providers.htm.
2. Awareness that the risk level for human illness in the Candia, Conway, and Hopkinton areas has been raised to High.
3. Advise patients and residents to use preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites by using protective clothing, insect repellents, and reducing environmental mosquito populations.
4. Report suspected and confirmed cases of mosquito-borne diseases to the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 1-603-271-4496 (after hours, 1-800-852-3345, ext. 5300).
Epidemiology
To date this year, EEE virus has been detected in two humans from Conway and Hopkinton, one mule in Candia, and six mosquito batches in the towns of Candia, Danville, Derry, and Londonderry. A total of 14 EEE cases have been documented in NH since 2004. Nationally, as of September 3, 2014, two other human EEE cases have been reported in Alabama and New York, for a total of four.
For additional information, please refer to previous Arboviral Update HANs: View or download NHHAN Messages at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/alerts/han.htm
If you or other health care providers have questions, please call the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control at 1-603-271-4496 or 1-800-852-3345, extension 4496, during business hours (8:00 AM to 4:30 AM). On nights or weekends call the New Hampshire Hospital switchboard at 1-800-852-3345, ext. 5300, and request the Public Health Professional on-call.
Cite this: Second Human Case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in New Hampshire - Medscape - Sep 10, 2014.
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