A New Hampshire resident has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis, prompting the state health department to warn of an elevated risk of the mosquito-borne virus. In a statement, the Division of Public Health Services said an adult from Hampstead was hospitalized with "severe central nervous system disease," and died from their illness. It's the first human EEE infection reported in New Hampshire in a decade, health officials said.
The EEE virus is a rare but serious disease that can cause flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, muscle aches and joint pain, and can also lead to neurological disease such as encephalitis and meningitis (brain and spinal cord inflammation). In addition to the human case, the state health department has identified EEE in one horse and seven batches of mosquitoes tested so far this summer. Human cases also have been reported in Massachusetts and Vermont, officials said.
Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist, said those test results indicate an elevated risk of EEE infections in New England this year. "The risk will continue into the fall until there is a hard frost that kills the mosquitoes," Chan said.
"Everybody should take steps to prevent mosquito bites when they are outdoors." In addition to EEE virus, mosquitoes can transmit infection from West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus, Chan said. Health experts urge residents to prevent mosquito bites by using repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants while outside, and avoiding outdoor activities in the early morning and evening hours when mosquitoes are most active.
People also should remove standing water around their homes to reduce mosquito populations, and make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes. For questions about mosquito-borne illnesses, call DPHS at 603-271-4496. For more information, visit bit.
ly/4dBYxZN ..
