New Hampshire Reports Lower Mosquito-Borne Illness Detections Amid Climate Change Concerns
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has reported a decrease in detections of Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE), West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus in mosquitoes for the current season compared to the past five years. As of September 10, no human cases of mosquito-borne illnesses have been reported in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine, though Massachusetts has seen eight human cases of West Nile virus. Despite the lower activity, officials urge continued precautions against mosquito bites, especially as mid-September is typically the peak for such illnesses. Precautions include wearing long sleeves and pants outdoors, using EPA-registered repellents, staying indoors during peak mosquito activity times, and eliminating standing water to reduce breeding opportunities. Environmental shifts linked to climate change, such as rising temperatures, milder winters, and increased rainfall, are generally associated with the expansion of vector-borne diseases.
