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On Friday, September 12, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, the NH Food Bank will have a truckload of food to distribute in the Comcast Parking Lot at 676 Island Pond Road in Manchester! See the FLYER for details!
Do you have challenges getting to important appointments, grocery shopping or doing other errands in and around Manchester? On September 10th, at 10:00 a.m., come join the Manchester Health Department, the MTA, and Southern NH Planning Commission at the Manchester City Library to learn about the different transportation options MTA and other agencies can provide Manchester residents! For details, see the attached flyers in English, French, and Spanish!
For Immediate Release Contact: Philip J. Alexakos, MPH, REHS
December 23, 2024 palexako@manchesternh.gov 603-657-2712
The City of Manchester Health Department Releases
the 2024 Greater Manchester Community Health Improvement Plan
MANCHESTER, NH - The City of Manchester Health Department announced today that it has released the 2024 Greater Manchester Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHIP is the result of a collaborative process, engaging stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, with the goal of serving as a roadmap to improve the health of the community. It represents a shared vision to improve health based upon the findings from the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) released in 2022. The Assessment identified six priority areas for action which include:
- Improve Educational Outcomes
- Reduce and Prevent Substance Misuse
- Improve Access to Quality Preventive Healthcare
- Improve Access to Healthy Foods
- Improve Access to Health-Promoting Affordable Housing
- Prevent and Address Trauma
Community partners engaged in a series of sessions to develop goals and strategies that address the identified priority areas. The City of Manchester Health Department, as the “Chief Health Strategist” for the community, will be charged with convening stakeholders on a regular basis, measuring progress toward health improvement and making the data easily accessible. The CHIP was developed by the City of Manchester Health Department (MHD) in partnership with the NH Community Health Institute, Bow, New Hampshire, a subsidiary of John Snow Inc. with support from Catholic Medical Center, Dartmouth Health, and Elliot Health System.
The CHIP can be accessed by visiting: https://www.manchesternh.gov/Portals/2/Departments/HEALTH/Rchip2024Reportfinal.pdf
About the City of Manchester Health Department:
Established in 1839, the City of Manchester Health Department (MHD) is an innovative and proactive local health department grounded in the principles and application of the core public health functions. Nearly sixty full and part-time staff work within five Branches and Teams: Neighborhood and Family Health, Infectious Disease, Environmental Public Health/Emergency Response, Healthy Aging and the Public Health and Safety Team. Our mission is “to improve the health of individuals, families, and the community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats” with an aim to work both across its Branches and with other community partners to improve the public’s health.
The Manchester Health Department is excited to share its Annual Resource Guide for 2024-2025. The Guide replaces our former Winter Resource Guide and provides contact information and listings for local winter resources and many other needed resources including healthcare and prescription services, food and clothing assistance, employment and transportation needs, mental health and substance use treatment, veteran and senior services, refugee and immigrant supports, housing and legal assistance, and recreational activities. The Guide can be found here and on the Health Department's website under "Services."
The City of Manchester Health Department is pleased to share its inaugural 2024-25 Manchester Food Resource Guide! As part of the City’s 2023 Healthy Food Access Plan, the Guide is a resource listing for individuals and families looking for food assistance, public food pantry locations, community gardens, and more! We encourage our community partners to use the Guide to support the public you serve. The Guide can be found at Food Resource Guide or on the Health Department’s website under “Services."
West Nile Virus (WNV) Found in Manchester Mosquitos
Manchester, NH – The Manchester Health Department announced today that one batch of mosquitos, collected in Manchester on July 10, 2024, has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). This is the first positive batch of mosquitos to test positive, in Manchester this season.
According to Anna Thomas, MPH, Manchester’s Public Health Director, “This is the time of the season that we can expect West Nile Virus to be identified in New Hampshire. It is important for residents and visitors to take steps to prevent mosquito bites, as WNV and other arboviruses can be transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. From this point in the season until there is a mosquito-killing frost, the risk of infection by mosquito-borne viruses may increase. Use an effective mosquito repellant that contains 30% DEET, avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, and remove standing water from around the home, where mosquitos reproduce, to limit the risks of catching these infections.”
West Nile Virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. WNV was first identified in New Hampshire in August of 2000. Symptoms usually appear within a week after being bitten. Symptoms can include flu-like illness including fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. Many people may not develop any symptoms, or only develop very mild symptoms. A very small percentage of individuals infected with WNV can go on to develop more serious central nervous system disease, including meningitis or encephalitis. If you or someone you know is experiencing flu-like symptoms, including fever and headache, contact your local medical provider.
Manchester residents and businesses can call the Manchester Health Department with concerns and questions about WNV and EEE. The phone number is 624-6466 and ask to speak to the Environmental Health Branch. Prevention guidelines for WNV and other arboviruses can be found below. Fact Sheets on West Nile virus and other arboviruses are available on the DHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov. For more information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.
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Prevention Guidelines for West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis
1. Eliminate standing water and other mosquito breeding locations around your property. Please do not attempt to drain or alter natural waterbodies for mosquito control, since the management of ponds and wetlands is regulated by the Department of Environmental Services and any planned alterations will require a permit before work may begin. In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days!
- Remove old tires from your property.
- Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or other containers. Don't overlook containers that have become overgrown by aquatic vegetation.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside.
- Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs. If not in use, keep empty and covered and keep covers free of standing water.
- Aerate garden ponds or stock them with fish.
- Turn over wheelbarrows and change water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.
- Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.
- Remind or help neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties.
2. Be aware of where mosquitoes live and breed and keep them from entering your home.
- Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Weeds, tall grass, and bushes provide an outdoor home for adult mosquitoes, including several species commonly associated with West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
- Mosquitoes can enter homes through unscreened windows or doors or broken screens. Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all screens in your home that have tears or holes.
- Resting mosquitoes can often be flushed from indoor resting sites by using sweeping motions under beds, behind bedside tables etc. and once in flight, exterminated prior to sleeping at night.
3. Protect yourself from mosquito bites.
- If outside during evening, nighttime, and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, children and adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks.
- Consider the use of an effective insect repellent, such as one containing DEET. A repellent containing 30% or less DEET (N,N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) for children and adults. Use DEET according to the manufacturer's directions. Children should not apply DEET to themselves. Repellents that contain Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 have also been determined to be effective.
- Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense, and bug zappers have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.
FSIS Announcement
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.
The raw ground beef items were produced on March 28, 2024. The products have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and packaging date of “032824.” The list of products that are subject to the public health alert can be found here. The labels for these products can be found on the FSIS website [view labels].
The products subject to the public health alert bear establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to food service institutions and retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered by the establishment while conducting an inventory of product that was on hold because it was found positive for E. coli O157:H7. The company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped into commerce.
There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ and food service institutions’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them and food service institutions are urged not to serve these products. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160 F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the public health alert can contact Gina Adami, Greater Omaha Packing Co., Inc. Representative, at 402-575-4702 or gadami@gmail.com.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ground-beef-products-due-possible-e--coli-o157h7-0?permalink=5C4F77DCF522B442F4653BB533773C13B5B1E415C93CAB4916303B5B0E8BE7DB
Manchester Water Works is dropping the levels of chlorine in tap water after more than a month of higher chlorine concentrations as a preventative maintenance measure, officials said.
On Aug. 14, Water Works converted its chloramine disinfection process to chlorine as a preventative maintenance measure.
Manchester Water Works periodically switches the disinfectant it uses from chloramine to chlorine as part of the maintenance of its water distribution systems. The most recent switch was performed in November 2021.
Staff said in a statement “over the past six weeks we have seen very positive distribution system water quality results,” and plan to convert back to chloramine on Monday, Oct. 2.
Chloramine, a chemical composed of chlorine and ammonia, lacks the taste and odor problems of straight chlorine.
Water Works started using chloramine as a secondary disinfectant in 2006. It is added to tap water at a concentration of 2.5 parts per million.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the safe use of chlorine and chloramine.
Anyone with questions about the conversion or other concerns about their water quality is asked to contact the Manchester Water Works Laboratory at 603-792-2855 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.