Please see the following from our Board of Health in regards to a recent EEE confirmation here in Town.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed that a Manchester resident has contracted EEE. The person identified works in the communities of Boxford, Ipswich, Topsfield, Essex, Gloucester and Manchester so they are not able to identify where the person was exposed. At this time the risk level for Manchester will be raised to Moderate and may rise to High.
There are no plans to spray at this time. Weekly testing of mosquitos in Manchester has been negative to date. Residents should continue to take the precautions that are outlined below. The Manchester Board of Health and the Town Nurse continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as needed.
What are the symptoms of EEE?
The first symptoms of EEE are fever (often 103º to 106ºF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous and frequent serious complication. The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week. Thus, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear.
What can you do to protect yourself from EEE?
Since the virus that causes EEE is spread by mosquitoes, here are some things you can do to reduce your chances of being bitten:
- When you are outdoors, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and socks. This may be difficult to do when the weather is hot, but it will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
- If you are outdoors at dusk (now starting at 6pm) apply repellent. **** The risk remains until the first hard frost.
Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 (3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid) or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-
menthane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions given on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
What can you do at home?
- Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.
- Remove areas of standing water around your home.
- Look around outside your house for containers and other things that might collect water and turn them over, regularly empty them, or dispose of them.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors so that water can drain out.
- Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
- Change the water in birdbaths every few days; aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
- Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers.
- Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
If you have any concerns or want more information Please check the website: