GREGG INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HELP SWAT THE THREAT OF MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES

Thursday, June 26, 2008                                 

 Contact: Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon (GREGG)

Barbara Riley/Liz Chamberlain (SUNUNU)

GREGG INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HELP SWAT THE THREAT OF MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES

Sununu joins Gregg in bringing forth reauthorization measure to provide prevention and control assistance to combat West Nile Virus and EEE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today introduced legislation to help combat the rising threat of mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).  The bipartisan Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Reauthorization Act of 2008 provides comprehensive federal aid to help state and local governments with their efforts to prevent, combat and control the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.  Senators John Sununu (R-NH), David Vitter (R-LA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) are also original cosponsors of this legislation.

Senator Gregg stated, “New Hampshire summers are some of the nicest in the country, but with the warm weather comes mosquitoes and they bring with them diseases which can be devastating, such as EEE and West Nile Virus.  We recently had the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention visit us in New Hampshire to discuss this growing problem, and it is obvious that providing funds for local communities to come together to fight these challenges head-on is needed.  For this reason, I have introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize grant opportunities for cities and towns to pursue prevention and control efforts that best fit their particular challenges.  I am hopeful that we will be able to pass this bill, and put these federal dollars to good use so that families and children throughout the Granite State can enjoy the summer months outside without the risk of getting ill from these pesky bugs.”

Senator Sununu stated, “Two New Hampshire residents tragically lost their lives to Eastern Equine Encephalitis in 2005.  Earlier this month, I hosted a meeting in New Hampshire with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Julie Gerberding, state officials, and members of the group ‘Moms Against EEE.’  They all agreed that the health threat from the mosquito-borne illness remains a serious concern. Local, state, and federal officials need to work together to halt the spread of the virus, and the MASH Act will give them the tools and resources they need to take action.  By controlling the mosquito population, we can protect Granite State residents from EEE and other diseases.”

The West Nile Virus, first discovered in Africa, spread to North America in 1999, with the first reported American case in New York City.  The disease is spread by mosquitoes and can infect humans and other mammals, sometimes fatally.  Last year, over 3,360 human cases of West Nile were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  However, other mosquito-borne diseases, such as EEE and La Crosse encephalitis, are also present in the United States and we must be vigilant of these threats to our local communities.