The Health Department

Engages in a number of activities to protect and promote the health of the public.
An Environmental Sanitation Program includes regulating and inspecting restaurants, food stores, schools, daycare centers, foster homes, nursing homes, and private sewage disposal facilities. The Department works with federal, state and regional agencies to monitor and control water and air quality in the City. The department investigates and takes abatement actions to eliminate public health nuisances and hazards.
By monitoring, investigating and reporting communicable diseases, the Department is part of the State Health Department's disease control program. Purchase of service agreements with Home Health Care and Community Services and Monadnock Family Services provide public health nursing and direct nursing care and mental health services.
Safe and Serv-Safe courses are being provided to food service workers in the community to enhance their education in food service. The University of New Hampshire Co-Operative Extension Service is co-sponsoring these programs with us.

West Nile Virus:
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans only by bites from infected mosquitoes. It is difficult to quantify the risk West Nile Virus will pose. The population of mosquitoes is large, but only a small number of mosquitoes will carry and transmit the disease. Of the population of Keene, only a very small number of people may be exposed and show symptoms. The numerical risk, therefore, is small, but it is present. The population most at risk will be the elderly; ten of 11 patients who were hospitalized in the New York City outbreak ranged in age from 53 to 87. Although only an estimated one percent of people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop encephalitis or another life-threatening condition, older individuals are at a much greater risk than are people in any other age group.
As of September 8, 2006, eleven birds found in Nashua (9), South Hampstead, and Merrimack have been reported as positive for West Nile Virus. As of the same date, two birds found in South Hampstead and Hampstead have been reported as positive for EEE. For more details on this information, click here.

For Field Pool testing results to date in the Keene area for this year, click here.

Treatment:
In some individuals, West Nile virus can cause serious disease that affects brain tissue. At its most serious, it can cause permanent neurological damage and can be fatal. There are no specific therapies, and there is no vaccine. In more severe cases, intensive supportive therapy is indicated; i.e., hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids and nutrition, airway management, ventilatory support (ventilator) if needed, prevention of secondary infections (pneumonia, urinary tract, etc.), and good nursing care.

Tips to avoid exposure to Mosquitoes:
* Keep window and door screens in good repair.
* Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and the early evening.
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants whenever you go outdoors. (Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing.)
* Apply insect repellant sparingly to exposed skin and clothes.
* Do not rely on Vitamin B and ultrasonic devices to prevent mosquito bites they are ineffective. Steps to reduce stagnant water, which is prime breeding ground for Mosquitoes:
* Properly dispose of items that hold water such as buckets, birdbaths and tires.
* Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not is use.
* Clear vegetation and debris from edges of ponds.
* Clear vegetation and debris from roof gutters and drains.
* Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
* Drain water from pool covers.
* Use landscaping to eliminate low spots where water accumulates.

The Health Department staff consists of:
Medard K. Kopczynski, Assistant City Manager/Health Director,
John Rogers, Sanitarian