Author: The Hippo Press

West Nile virus

Mosquitoes collected in Manchester on July 14 have tested positive for West Nile virus, the first batch to do so in Manchester this season, according to a July 24 press release from the city’s Health Department. “From this point in the season, until there is a mosquito-killing frost, the risk of infection by mosquito-borne viruses may increase. We recommend using an EPA evaluated, effective mosquito repellent, avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, and remove standing water from around the home, where mosquitoes reproduce, to limit the risks of catching these infections,” said Anna Thomas, MPH, Manchester’s Public Health Director, in the press release. Symptoms can appear within a week after being bitten by a mosquito and include “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,” the release said.

Curds recall

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced a voluntary recall by Huckins Farm of Huckins Farms Cheese Curds with a sell by date of Aug. 9, 2025, according to a press release from July 23. “Huckins Farm is voluntarily recalling the cheese curds out of an abundance of caution because they were improperly pasteurized,” the release said. The affected curds were sold in half-pound packages at the farm’s store in New Hampton and at 11 other New Hampshire locations including Osborne’s Farm and Garden Center and the Concord Food Co-op, both in Concord; Osborne’s Farm and Garden Center in Hooksett and Dumon Farms in Loudon. See the full list at dhhs.nh.gov. People who purchased these cheese curds should throw them away, the release said.

Elliot & Dartmouth

Elliot Health System and Dartmouth Health announced a collaboration in maternal and child health services starting July 1, according to a press release. “This clinical collaboration with Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Bedford/Manchester offers patients in southern New Hampshire the expertise of Dartmouth Health’s obstetricians and midwives to deliver babies and provide the full scope of inpatient reproductive health services, expanding on the outstanding services offered by Elliot Hospital,” the press release said. “The Elliot delivers more than 2,200 babies each year and Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Bedford/Manchester in southern New Hampshire averages 800 deliveries each year,” the release said.

The 99th annual Hospital Days celebration to celebrate New London Hospital will run Thursday, July 31, through Saturday, Aug. 2, on the New London Town Green. Events include a family event on Elkins Beach on Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a parade on Saturday at 10 a.m.; a vendor fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; kids’ activities on the Green on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; a midway all three days and more. See newlondonhospital.org.

Easterseals NH was slated to hold a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the new Gammon Academy school building on Zachary Road in Manchester on Wednesday, July 30. The new “state of the art school” continues the Easterseals NH offerings of “residential and educational services for students with significant developmental, behavioral, or intellectual disabilities” on the site, according to a press release.

The Live Free and Dance Festival 2025 will take place Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester starting at noon. The festival, presented by the Aaron Tolson Institute of Dance, will feature classes in dance styles including lyrical, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and tap, according to tickets.anselm.edu. The faculty will include Ellye Setnik-King, Danielle Gautier, Emily Spencer, Emmy McLaughlin and Aaron Tolson; a single class costs $30, a four-class package costs $120, with a free tap class at the end of the day for students who pick the four-class package, according to the website, where you can register for the festival.