| In the not-too-distant past, mosquitos were a nuisance, but now that they have spread illnesses that have killed people, many New Hampshire communities are debating whether to approve money to kill them before they get back in the air.
"Now it's different," said Michael Morrison, of Municipal Pest Management, which sprays against mosquitos. "People are scared."
Mosquitos have carried West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis into the state. Last year, two New Hampshire residents died of encephalitis, also known as EEE, and at least seven others were stricken.
Morrison said he doesn't know of any communities around the Seacoast area that haven't applied for state permits to spray, and many have included questions about raising anti-mosquito money on their town meeting warrants.
"In the next two weeks, I'll know where we'll be working," he told the Portsmouth Herald.
About 25 communities received permits to spray last year. As of February, more the 50 had applied or were planning to apply for the upcoming mosquito season, Morrison said.
Hampton Falls is asking voters to approve $30,000 to fight mosquitos. Exeter is asking for $40,000. Voters will debate spending $48,000 in Raymond.
Though EEE has been around for decades, the disease hadn't claimed a life in the state in 25 years until last year, when a 20-year-old Newton woman and an 80-year-old man from Hooksett died.
"I think it was heightened by the fact that the daughter of one of our police officers died because of it (EEE)," Town Manager Rick Bates said. "After that, we were more acutely aware."
Kelly Labell, 20, daughter of Raymond Detective Richard Labell, died last September after contracting the virus. The Hooksett man died in the same month.
At the height of the outbreak, many schools stopped all after-school activities at dusk.
The approaching mosquito season, which lasts from May to October, is not looking promising, according to state public health veterinarian Jason Stull.
The wet fall followed by a mild winter tends to mean more mosquitoes, he said. A rainy spring would make things worse.
Most of the town proposals are asking for money for larvacide, which is added to standing water in the spring to kill mosquitoes before they take wing. Some also are asking for money for adulticide, which typically is sprayed in public areas such as parks.
|