SUNUNU AND GREGG HOST VISIT TO NH BY TOP CDC, STATE, AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO HIGHLIGHT PREVENTION AGAINST EEE,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                          CONTACT: BARBARA RILEY

6/2/08                                                          202-224-2841

                                                                LAENA FALLON

                                                                202-224-3324

SUNUNU AND GREGG HOST VISIT TO NH BY TOP CDC, STATE, AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO HIGHLIGHT PREVENTION AGAINST EEE,

STATE/FEDERAL EFFORTS TO FIGHT DISEASE

WASHINGTON, DC – At the invitation of Senators John Sununu and Judd Gregg (R-NH), Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), today (6/2) held a press conference attended by local activists from “Moms Against EEE,” and the state Department of Health and Human Services to highlight preventive steps in combating Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and federal and state collaborative efforts to fight the mosquito-borne disease that took two lives in New Hampshire in 2005.

Sununu and Gregg first wrote to Director Gerberding in October 2007, inviting her to visit New Hampshire to further discuss federal assistance for state and local efforts to combat the public health threat. Monday’s press conference took place in the Memorial Garden at Londonderry High School at noon on Monday, June 2. 

        Senator Sununu stated, “Tragically, Eastern Equine Encephalitis took two New Hampshire lives in the Granite State in 2005. While the health threat remains, we can be thankful that local, state, and federal officials and groups have dedicated themselves to halting the spread of this mosquito-borne virus in the Granite State.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s attention to helping New Hampshire’s mosquito control efforts underscores its dedication to fighting EEE and West Nile Virus, and I thank Dr. Gerberding for her support. Moreover, I commend the work of the local group ‘Moms Against EEE’ for bringing attention to the issue. They have truly served as an example that individual voices matter in this battle.”

        Senator Gregg stated, “Dr. Gerberding’s visit to New Hampshire is an excellent example of the cooperative effort of the CDC, public health officials, elected leaders, and community members to make the control and prevention of mosquito-borne illnesses, especially EEE and West Nile, a top priority.  We appreciate Dr. Gerberding taking the time to visit the Granite State and hope the continued efforts of the CDC will further boost the efforts the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services is making.

“I especially would like to recognize the commitment the ‘Moms Against EEE’ has made to address this problem.  As we enter the summer months where children will be spending more time outside, the Moms deserve our thanks for increasing both the awareness of mosquito-borne diseases and the need to be vigilant against them.  I will continue to work to assist these volunteers as well as state officials in coordinating an effective effort to mitigate the spread of EEE to ensure that folks throughout the Granite State are able to enjoy time outside this summer without becoming ill.”

Dr. Gerberding stated, "Mosquito-borne diseases like EEE can be very serious, even fatal.  The stories we hear from those who have lost a loved one to these diseases are a sobering reminder of how important it is to focus on prevention. As summertime approaches, we also need to remind persons to ‘fight the bite’ and protect themselves from mosquitoes by wearing DEET and removing standing water that can provide mosquito breeding sites around the home."

        Members of the group “Moms Against EEE” stated, “We, the Moms Against EEE, would like to thank Senators Sununu and Gregg for our meeting with the Director of the CDC. We are honored to meet with Dr. Gerberding and to have her come to our beautiful state of New Hampshire. The CDC is a pivotal agency for dissemination of information, research, and guidance for each state regarding health related issues like mosquito or tick-borne diseases.”

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas stated, “In New Hampshire our system of surveillance includes testing, monitoring, collaboration, and education. But the most important piece is prevention.  EEE is preventable if people take the precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.  We want to make sure the public is aware of the threat and we thank all our partners for their help in this effort.”

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Further information on the CDC can be obtained on the web at www.cdc.gov. For more information on EEE and West Nile Virus in New Hampshire, visit the DHHS web site at www.dhhs.state.nh.us