Concord, NH – New Hampshire state officials announced that the state is experiencing an outbreak of syphilis. According to state health officials the 42 cases reported in New Hampshire for 2017 is about double that of a typical year. That is an increase compared with the past 5 years, when an average of 20 cases were reported during those months.

Between 2012 and 2016, there were on average approximately 80 total cases per year of the disease reported in New Hampshire, with 2016 having the highest number of 104 cases reported for the entire year.

The outbreak in New Hampshire is consistent with national trends and is being seen mainly in men under age 40 and in men who have sex with men (MSM).

“Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can have serious health consequences if left untreated, but it can be cured when a person is diagnosed and given the right antibiotics,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan. “Syphilis was close to being eliminated in the United States back in 2000, but over the last decade it has been making a resurgence, and unfortunately, New Hampshire is not immune to the impact of increasing STDs.”

Dr. Sohaib Siddiqui, hospitalist at Memorial Hospital said “As far as I know we have not had any cases in Carroll County as of yet, in terms of in the hospital or our primary.” According to State Health Officials approximately 60% of cases have been in Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties.

When asked if he believes the rise in the disease is related to the on going Opiate Epidemic Dr. Siddiqui said “I don’t think there is a causal relationship as far as we know at this time.”

Syphilis is caused by infection with the Treponema pallidum bacterium, and it can be transmitted through sexual contact. Syphilis is divided into stages (primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary), and there are different signs and symptoms associated with each stage. According to Dr. Siddiqui the treatment for syphilis is simple antibiotics, such as penicillin.

Syphilis can infect anybody who is sexually active. If a pregnant woman is infected, she can also pass the infection on to her unborn baby, resulting in congenital syphilis, a severe, disabling, and often life-threatening infection seen in infants. Fortunately, New Hampshire has not identified a case of congenital syphilis since 2013.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) recommends that everyone who is sexually active talk with their healthcare provider about getting tested for STDs, such as syphilis, HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, and that individuals with sexual risk factors should be tested for syphilis, including MSM and anybody who has been diagnosed with another sexually transmitted disease. Pregnant women also need to be routinely tested for syphilis whether or not they have symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of primary and secondary syphilis has increased almost every year since 2000–2001. In 2015, a total of 23,872 primary and secondary syphilis cases were reported nationally which represents a rate of about 8.0 cases per 100,000 population; this represents a 19.0% increase from 2014 and is the highest rate reported since 1994.

For more information on syphilis, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/.

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22-year-old Jacob Eldridge allegedly crashed his truck after driving while intoxicated ~ Photo Courtesy of Wolfeboro Police

Wolfeboro, NH – An Ossipee man was arrested on drug charges after a car accident in Wolfeboro. According to Wolfeboro Police they were called to a single motor vehicle accident on Beach Pond Road at 11:43 am June 17th.

While speaking with the driver of the vehicle, 22-year-old Jacob Eldridge, the officer said he observed clear signs of impairment. After a brief investigation, Mr. Eldridge was arrested for DWI.

22-year-old Jacob Eldridge of Ossipee was arrested for DWI ~ Photo Courtesy of Wolfeboro Police

During the investigation authorities said they found a small “baggie” of what is believed to be heroin inside the truck. Eldridge later allegedly admitted to snorting some of it prior to the crash, and he was subsequently transported to Huggins Hospital for a blood test.

Eldridge was then transported to the Carroll County Jail where he was bailed and scheduled to appear inThird Circuit Court in Ossipee on June 21.

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Hudson The Railroad Dog stopped by the WMWV News Room to chat with  News Director Christian Mower about his mission of Kindness

A four-legged hero will be visiting schools in western Maine this week to teach about the power of kindness. Hudson the Railroad Puppy’s handler Richard Nash explained that at just 3 weeks old Hudson and his siblings were discovered in New York after having been maliciously hurt resulting in Hudson losing one of his legs. Hudson then became one of the first Dogs in New York to receive a prosthetic limb.

With his new lease on life Hudson, a dog who has every reason to not be kind, is now on a mission to teach kindness to kids.

To listen to Hudson’s story and mission listen to News Director Christian Mower’s interview with Hudson, Nash, and Diane Reo from State Farm below.

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Since starting his mission of kindness Hudson the Railroad Puppy has helped to educate hundreds of children and was awarded the American Humane Society Hero Dog Award in 2015.

As a part of State Farm’s Kindness is powerful program Hudson and Richard will be visiting:

Tuesday, June 20 @ 9:00 a.m.

New Suncook School

Tuesday, June 20 @ 1:00 p.m.

C.A. Snow School

Wednesday, June 21 @ 9:00 A.M.

Brownfield/Denmark Elementary School

The Kindness is Powerful program will give students a hands on experience to educate them on interacting with dogs as well as learn safety tips. The ultimate goal is to reduce dog related injuries.

Hudson the Railroad Puppy is the 2015 winner of the American Humane Society Hero Dog Award.

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards® recognizes heroes on both ends of the leash. Eight lucky finalists and their human companions are flown to Hollywood for a star-studded awards gala, which was   broadcasted nationwide on Hallmark Channel.

Kindness is Powerful is a new joint effort to educate children on dog safety. State Farm is teaming up with celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, kindness ambassador Megan Blake with Super Smiley, and Leah Brewer with 2013 Hero Dog of the Year, Elle the pit bull.

With the help of other handler/dog teams, Kindness is Powerful focuses on teaching the value of kindness, positivity, and how to be responsible around dogs. The campaign also focuses on children and providing messaging around the need for education on dog bite prevention.

Over the past decade, State Farm has paid out just over $1 Billion for dog-related injury claims.  And, sadly, children make up more than 50% of all dog bite victims. Dog bite claims averaged $6,500 per claim for injuries to residents in Maine, while New Jersey reports the highest dollar amount paid on dog related claims countrywide – over $5 Million. (Stats available on top states with dog bites, cost of claims and number of claims.)

Dog bites are a serious public health problem that can cause both physical and emotional damage to victims and considerable cost to communities.  As a member of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week (NDBPW) Coalition, State Farm is working to prevent dog bites and educate the public, especially children.

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