A man from New Hampshire was identified with having mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, after traveling, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
The man, from Merrimack County recently traveled to Eastern Africa where there is an ongoing outbreak of a strain of mpox called clade I and is self-isolating and recovering at home.
“The individual’s illness poses no current risk to the public,” the DHHS said in a statement.
There is no evidence that mpox is spreading from person to person in New Hampshire or within the United States, the DHHS said. This is the first clade l mpox diagnosis in the state and the third mpox diagnosis in the United States.
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The DHHS is conducting a disease investigation to identify anyone who may have been in close contact with the person and there have been no public locations identified where exposure might have occurred, the release states.
“The mpox virus is spread primarily through direct physical contact with someone who has mpox and has developed an infectious skin rash,” New Hampshire Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said in the release. “Public Health is working to identify and notify people who had close contact with the individual, so we can connect them with preventive vaccination and help them to monitor for symptoms of mpox.”
Mpox is a disease caused by two different genetic types of mpox virus called clade l and clade ll. Clade ll mpox has continued to circulate at low levels in the United States since the widespread outbreak occurred in 2022, the statement reads. More recently, clade l mpox has been causing outbreaks in Central and Eastern Africa. Both types of the virus spread primarily through direct contact with a symptomatic person with mpox or through contact with used items contaminated with the mpox virus. The mpox virus is not spread through the air.
People with mpox develop an infectious rash that changes over time as a person’s illness progresses. The rash can look like pimples or blisters that are painful or itchy, the DHHS said in the statement. Over time, the rash can spread and then slowly the skin lesions develop a scab or crust before going away over several weeks.
Other symptoms people can develop include fever, chills, headache, exhaustion, muscle aches, sore throat or swollen lymph nodes.
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A person with mpox can spread the virus starting when they first develop symptoms. They can remain contagious until their rash fully heals and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
“If you are traveling to Central or Eastern Africa or if you believe you might have a risk factor for mpox, talk to your healthcare provider about whether the JYNNEOS vaccine is recommended for you,” the DHHS said in the release.
Those who have questions about mpox can contact New Hampshire’s Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496. Further details about mpox can be found here.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
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An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
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McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
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New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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