Health authorities from New Hampshire have reported the first case of the seasonal Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV). The rare viral infection is the 10th case in the state since 2013, amounting to about 50 cases in the Midwest and Northeast in the past ten years.
The patient was an adult individual from Loudon, who is currently recovering at home after hospitalization for neurological symptoms. Local health authorities have declared the arboviral risk level to be high during this season. 'When people are out of their homes, they should continue to take steps to not only protect themselves and others from COVID-19 but also protect themselves from mosquito and tick bites," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the State Epidemiologist.
The mosquito virus was first identified from mosquitos in Jamestown Canyon, Colorado in 1961. It is closely associated with the La Crosse encephalitis virus. Similar to other diseases from mosquitoes, symptoms are flu-like with fever, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle aches.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Rare cases of severe infection result in meningitis, or inflammation of brain membranes, and meningoencephalitis, the inflammation of the brain, and protective membranes. These are quite similar to central nervous disease symptoms caused by mosquitos, called Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Another mosquito-borne disease is West Nile Virus, which has already been rampant in states in the West Coast this year. All three diseases will continue to be a concern in New Hampshire until temperatures are below freezing.
Scientists have been concerned that due to global warming, more and more mosquitos have been able to settle in northern states where temperatures were previously too cold for them to survive. Health authorities continue to remind the public of preventive measures such as wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellant, and report to a clinic if one is experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Covid-19 & Other Infectious Disease Threats
Nearby in Connecticut, the state began trapping and testing mosquitos for various viruses in June, coordinated by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). Residents are at risk of infection by the EEE virus especially in swamp and woodland areas but have reported cases of JCV and the West Nile virus as well.
CAES scientists Philip Armstrong said, 'We detect Jamestown Canyon virus every year in mosquitoes and there is no indication that it is becoming more prevalent based on the mosquito surveillance data.'
Dr. Chan said, 'In addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are other infectious disease threats to New Hampshire residents, including from mosquito and tick bites. Jamestown Canyon Virus is one of the infections that are able to be transmitted by mosquito bites in New Hampshire.'
Towards the end of June, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said, 'While social distancing measures are in place, households should be encouraged to work together in and around their homes to get rid of stagnant water, reduce and dispose of solid waste, and to ensure proper covering of all water storage containers. These measures can be done as a family activity.'
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