By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

Health officials announced two new human suspect cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), as well as confirmed that a Londonderry woman and Goffstown boy tested positively for the disease.

The two new suspect cases are a Manchester man, who has returned home from the hospital, and a Concord man, who is currently in serious condition. Additionally, two birds in Concord and Hooksett recently tested positive for the virus, according Department of Health and Human Services officials.

A Londonderry woman and a 4-year-old Goffstown boy were hospitalized in mid-August and tested for the disease. On Friday, Aug. 26, test results confirmed that they had both contracted the disease.

Greg Moore, director of public affairs and human relations for the state Department of Health, said there have only been about 200 cases of EEE since 1964, making it a very rare disease. The disease is found in birds and can only be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites.

Moore said most mosquitos that feed on birds do not also feed on humans.

“Most mosquitos feed on only one or the other, which is why the disease is rare,” he said.

There has not been a case of EEE in the state of New Hampshire in nearly 20 years before this summer, said Moore.

Currently, there is no cure for the disease, which is fatal in about 35 percent of its cases.

“EEE is a rare but serious disease characterized by fever, headache and mental status changes,” said Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, deputy state epidemiologist, in a Department of Health news release.

Moore said area residents should take precautionary methods to prevent themselves from contracting the disease.

“This disease is 100 percent preventable,” he said. “The methods of protection are prevention, prevention, prevention. There are simple common-sense techniques to avoid being bitten by a mosquito.”

He said people should wear long sleeves and pants if they are outside at dawn or dusk, which are peak mosquito hours. He also said residents should not leave standing pools of water around their homes because the insects are often drawn to them. He also said people should spray insect repellants, such as DEET or oil of eucalyptus, on themselves to keep mosquitos away.

“Hopefully, if I go to the store, I will find no DEET cans on the shelf,” he said.

Moore said mosquitos also carry the deadly West Nile virus, which should also act as an incentive to take precautionary measures.

Although the number of suspect cases has doubled in two weeks, Moore said there are only about five more weeks of mosquito season.

He said the insects will begin to disappear when the weather drops, most likely toward the end of September. However, he said New England could soon get hit with heavy rains from Hurricane Katrina and advised area residents to take extra precaution because mosquitos tend to congregate around pools of water.

Currently, the Londonderry woman is in stable condition at Elliot Hospital and the Goffstown boy is also in stable condition.

Test results for the two other suspect cases should be in by Friday, Sept. 2.