Health warning as New Hampshire man dies from mosquito-borne brain swelling virus

A man in New Hampshire has died after testing positive for a rare mosquito-borne virus. 

Health officials in Hampstead, New Hampshire, issued a warning Tuesday after a resident died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV), also known as ‘Triple E.’

The condition, which is carried by mosquitos, causes a fever and brain swelling and can lead to seizures and comas, killing around a third of those it infects. It’s the state’s first human case in 10 years. 

The announcement comes after half of the state of Massachusetts remains under a curfew after 10 counties issued warnings of an elevated presence of the virus.

Cities across the US are being sprayed down with pesticides to deter mosquitos, which are becoming increasingly disease-ridden. 

The White House Covid doctor Anthony Fauci was hospitalized earlier this month with West Nile virus, which is also spread by the insects. 

New Hampshire State epidemiologist Dr Benjamin Chan warned that ‘there is an elevated risk’ of Triple E and similar conditions like West Nile Virus, which hospitalized Dr Anthony Fauci earlier this summer. 

‘In New Hampshire, mosquitos transmit infections including Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, West Nile Virus, and Jamestown Canyon Virus,’ Dr Chan said. 

‘We believe there is an elevated risk for EEEV infections this year in New England given the positive mosquito samples identified. The risk will continue into the fall until there is a hard frost that kills the mosquitos.’

‘Everybody should take steps to prevent mosquito bites when they are outdoors.’

In addition to the unidentified New Hampshire victim, one horse and seven mosquito batches have been infected with the virus so far this summer. 

The CDC estimates that just 11 human cases occur in the US every year, though the risks are severe. 

One-third of people infected with Triple E die and those who recover are often left with lifelong physical and mental difficulties. 

The virus circulates in the environment between mosquitos and birds typically found in freshwater swamps. Humans and other animals like horses may become infected when mosquitos feed on them. Horses cannot spread the virus. 

There are no vaccines or medications to treat Triple E. The CDC recommends protecting yourself with mosquito bites using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants. 

‘It is also important for residents to remove standing water from around their homes to reduce mosquito populations and ensure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes,’ the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) advised. 

According to the CDC’s latest data, Wisconsin, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have each reported one human case this year.