The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued a public health threat declaration in southern New Hampshire for West Nile Virus. The highest number of mosquito batches in five years has tested positive for the virus. West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes trapped in Rye and North Hampton and seven other New Hampshire municipalities: Candia, Keene, Londonderry, Manchester, Nashua, Raymond, and Salem. DHHS officials are maintaining the risk level for Rye at “lowâ€.
Personal protection is the best way to keep yourself safe. Avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when possible. Use EPA-registered insect repellents found at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents and cover up by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Eliminate mosquito breeding areas by dumping water out of containers every time it rains. More information is available at www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/arboviral/ and on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/
