Rare, Deadly Mosquito Virus Has New England Communities Urging Vigilance
7 weeks ago
Diseases spread by mosquitoes are in the spotlight again because of recent U.S. illnesses. People in some areas of Massachusetts have been warned to stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active after a rare case of eastern equine encephalitis was discovered. And Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease expert, was recently hospitalized after he came down with West Nile virus. Both are nasty diseases spread by mosquitoes — though they are relatively rare. The best way to avoid getting sick is to avoid getting bitten. That can mean using repellent and staying indoors when the mosquitoes are out.
New Hampshire health authorities are reporting the death of a person who tested positive for the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus. The Hampstead resident’s infection was the first in the state in a decade. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says the person had severe central nervous system symptoms. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about a third of people who develop encephalitis from the virus die, and survivors can suffer lifelong mental and physical disabilities. There are typically about 11 human cases of eastern equine encephalitis in the U.S. per year.
New Hampshire health authorities are reporting the death of a person who tested positive for the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus. The Hampstead resident’s infection was the first in the state in a decade. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services says the person had severe central nervous system symptoms. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about a third of people who develop encephalitis from the virus die, and survivors can suffer lifelong mental and physical disabilities. There are typically about 11 human cases of eastern equine encephalitis in the U.S. per year.
