New Hampshire resident dies after EEEV infection, as rare, lethal mosquito-borne virus spreads in New England

New Hampshire well being officers mentioned Tuesday that an individual who examined constructive for the mosquito-borne an infection japanese equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) has died. 

An grownup from Hampstead, New Hampshire, who examined constructive for EEEV an infection, “was hospitalized because of extreme central nervous system illness, and has handed away because of their sickness,” the New Hampshire Division of Well being and Human Companies (DHHS), Division of Public Well being Companies (DPHS) mentioned in an announcement. “DHHS affords our sympathies to the person’s household and mates.”

EEEV is a uncommon however severe illness transmitted to individuals by infected mosquitos. The final reported human EEEV an infection in New Hampshire was in 2014, when DHHS recognized three human infections, together with two fatalities, in accordance with the division. Along with the individual with EEEV an infection introduced Tuesday, EEEV has been detected in a single horse and 7 mosquito batches in New Hampshire to date this summer time. 

“In New Hampshire, mosquitoes transmit infections together with Jap Equine Encephalitis Virus, West Nile Virus, and Jamestown Canyon Virus,” New Hampshire State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan mentioned in an announcement. “We imagine there’s an elevated threat for EEEV infections this 12 months in New England given the constructive mosquito samples recognized. The chance will proceed into the autumn till there’s a laborious frost that kills the mosquito [sic]. Everyone ought to take steps to forestall mosquito bites when they’re outside.”

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A Cattail mosquito is held up for inspection Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, on the Maine Medical Middle Analysis Institute, in South Portland, Maine.  (AP Photograph/Pat Wellenbach, File)

New Hampshire well being officers mentioned EEEV could cause flu-like signs resembling fever, chills, muscle aches, and joint ache. 

EEEV may trigger extreme neurological illness, resembling irritation of the mind and membranes across the spinal wire, generally known as encephalitis and meningitis, respectively. Roughly one-third of all individuals who develop encephalitis from EEEV die from their an infection, and plenty of others expertise life-long bodily or psychological impacts, in accordance with the division. There isn’t any vaccine or antiviral remedy for EEEV. 

EEEV has additionally been detected in neighboring states. In Massachusetts, one individual, one horse and 69 mosquito samples have examined constructive, and in Vermont, one individual and 47 mosquito samples have examined constructive. Vermont state well being officers on Aug. 9 introduced the primary human case within the state since 2012. That case concerned a male in his 40s from Chittenden County who was hospitalized on July 16 and left the hospital every week later.

The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention estimates there are about 11 human instances of japanese equine encephalitis within the U.S. per 12 months. 

The city of Plymouth introduced on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, that it is closing public outside recreation amenities from nightfall till daybreak every day after a horse within the city was contaminated with japanese equine encephalitis.  (AP Photograph/Steven Senne, File)

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New Hampshire well being officers warned residents to prevent EEEV infection by taking steps to forestall mosquito bites, together with utilizing efficient mosquito repellents, carrying lengthy sleeves and pants when outdoors, and avoiding outside actions within the early morning and night hours when mosquitoes are most lively. 

Massachusetts started aerial spraying for mosquitos over the weekend.  (Lane Turner/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Pictures)

The division mentioned additionally it is necessary for residents to take away standing water from round their houses to cut back mosquito populations, and guarantee doorways and home windows have tight-fitting screens with out holes.

Over the weekend, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Massachusetts Division of Agricultural Sources (MDAR) introduced plans to conduct aerial spraying for mosquitoes in areas of Plymouth County, and truck-mounted spraying in elements of Worcester County. As of Saturday, 10 communities in Massachusetts had been raised to excessive or essential threat for EEEV.

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“We have now not seen an outbreak of EEE for 4 years in Massachusetts,” Massachusetts DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein. MD, PhD mentioned in an announcement Saturday. “This 12 months’s outbreak and exercise increase the chance for communities in elements of the state. We have to use all our accessible instruments to cut back threat and defend our communities. We’re asking everybody to do their half.” 

The city of Plymouth, about 40 miles southeast of Boston, mentioned Friday it was taking “proactive measures” amid the excessive threat standing for EEEV by closing all parks and fields from nightfall till daybreak.