Exeter NH Health Department

03/16/2020

I apologize that there have not been more updates on this page as I have been on military orders for the past 3 weeks. COVID-19 is currently the biggest issue facing the Exeter Health Department. It is important that we take this very seriously to protect ourselves and our community as a whole. I will be posting updates from the CDC and NH DHHS. More information is available at
https://www.nh.gov/covid19/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
There is some great information here about how to plan and prepare for COVID-19. For general info about COVID-19, you can also call 2-1-1.

01/27/2020

There are still a lot of questions surrounding the Novel Coronavirus identified in Wuhan, China. Attached is a guide for how to stay safe by Laurie Garrett. As she states in her report, she conducted interviews and traveled all over China during the SARS outbreak. In this article, she highlights how she managed to do this without fear of contracting the illness.

As China’s epidemic continues to spread, things may seem scary. Here are ten simple precautions that can protect you from contracting the coronavirus.

01/17/2020

The ServSafe Food Manager Certification Course has been confirmed for Thursday, March 26. To sign up, go to https://www.hrfoodsafe.com/servsafe-sign-up.php and fill out the registration form. For location, select Exeter, NH and March 26 should be the only date available. Space is limited, as this is now a state-wide requirement with the adoption of the 2017 FDA Food Code. The Exeter Health Department will be hosting more ServSafe courses here in town to help our local food establishments meet compliance with the new regulations.

Sign-up and register for ServSafe® live class training

01/14/2020

On Thursday, March 26, the Exeter Health Department will be hosting a ServSafe Food Manager Certification class at the Exeter Fire Department. Details on how to sign up will follow later this week after we receive confirmation.

11/25/2019

There is currently an E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce harvested from Salinas, CA. Check any romaine lettuce or romaine lettuce products you may have for the harvest location (should be labeled on product packaging/wrapping). Discard any products with Salinas, CA included as a harvesting location.

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2019/o157h7-11-19/index.html

08/07/2019

Due to a positive case of Powassan Virus and Jamestown Canyon Virus in a nearby town, Exeter's risk level for mosquito and tick borne illnesses has been increased from "low" to "moderate."

Residents should take care to wear long sleeves and pants outside when appropriate. Wear DEET, Permethrin treated products, or other repellents approved by the CDC. Mow long grass and drain any standing water to eliminate breeding grounds. Take extra care during peak biting hours, from dusk to dawn. Install or repair screens on homes. Remember to check pets and each other regularly for ticks.

More information can be found at

EEE and WNV are spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected bird, it becomes infected.

07/22/2019

Remember to keep cool and hydrate this Summer. Heat injuries can be potentially fatal - try to limit outdoor work in the heat and drink plenty of water. Check in on friends and family this Summer, and if you have any questions about preventing heat injuries, contact the Exeter Health Department.

07/02/2019

Mosquito surveillance reports have just come in for Exeter with high numbers of mosquitoes caught during June. The rain throughout the month likely had an impact on population. Remember to apply repellents and if appropriate for the weather and temperature, wear long sleeves and pants to cover exposed skin.

04/16/2019

The Hepatitis A outbreak in New Hampshire is accelerating according to the Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health Services.

“Hepatitis A is spread by unknowingly getting the virus in your mouth after touching or eating items that are contaminated with small amounts of stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can also spread from close personal contact with an infected person or caring for someone who is ill,” said Beth Daly, Chief of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control. “Hepatitis A is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine, which is vital to stopping this outbreak. People at high risk for infection should talk with their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.”

The Department also posted this to their website with more information:

03/13/2019

Mosquito season is coming! Biological monitoring and control will begin April 1st.

02/06/2019

The New Hampshire Health Alert Network posted an alert yesterday that NH is in the early stages of a Hepatitis A outbreak. Check here for more details.

01/30/2019

Looks like there are a couple recalls currently affecting New Hampshire. Be on the lookout for General Mills 5lb bags of Gold Medal Unbleached Flour with a use-by date of April 20, 2020. Also some prepared food products containing spinach from Whole Foods Markets. See the links below for more details.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm629788.htm?utm_campaign=Satur%20Farms%E2%80%99%20Recall%20of%20Baby%20Spinach%20Affects%20Prepared%20Food%20Items&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm629754.htm?utm_campaign=General%20Mills%20Recalls%20Five%20Pound%20Bags%20of%20Gold%20Medal%20Unbleached%20Flour&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

General Mills announced today a voluntary national recall of five-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached Flour with a better if used by date of April 20, 2020. The recall is being issued for the potential presence of Salmonella which was discovered during sampling of the five-pound bag product.