A New Hampshire resident has died after testing positive for the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus, according to state health authorities, AP reported Tuesday.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services announced that the resident from Hampstead, identified only as an adult, was the first case of this infection in the state in a decade. The individual had been hospitalized with severe central nervous system symptoms.
EEE is a rare but potentially severe disease spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The most recent human EEE case in New Hampshire occurred in 2014, when the DHHS reported three infections, two of which were fatal.
Along with the individual with an EEE infection announced on Tuesday, EEE has also been found in one horse and seven mosquito batches in New Hampshire this summer, FOX 23 reported.
New Hampshire State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan has reportedly warned of an “elevated risk” of Triple E (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) and similar conditions like the West Nile Virus, which hospitalized Dr. Anthony Fauci earlier this summer.
Mosquitoes in New Hampshire can also spread West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus. Health officials advise people to use mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves and pants to prevent mosquito bites.
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