Rare, Deadly Mosquito-Borne Virus Infects Another Person

Massachusetts reports 2nd recent case of eastern equine encephalitis
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 30, 2024 12:49 AM CDT
Another Person Gets Rare, Deadly Mosquito-Borne Virus
A passer-by walks a dog, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, along a walkway, in Plymouth, Mass., near a sign that advises people of a ban in effect for outdoor activity between dusk and dawn due to the risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Massachusetts health officials on Thursday announced a second confirmed human case of the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus in the state. A second case of the virus in a horse was also confirmed, the AP reports. The human case is a woman in her 30s. Both were exposed in the area of Plymouth County that was aerial-sprayed for mosquito control Tuesday night. Both became infected before spraying was performed. The detection of the latest case comes after a New Hampshire resident infected with the virus died, state health authorities said Tuesday. Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said people should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. "We expect that the aerial spraying will help prevent risk for EEE from continuing to escalate in the area, but it does not eliminate it completely," he said.

Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages and is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The first Massachusetts resident infected with the EEE virus this year was a male in his 80s exposed in southern Worcester County. About a third of people who develop encephalitis from the virus die from the infection, and survivors can suffer lifelong mental and physical disabilities. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available for infections, which can cause flu-like symptoms and lead to severe neurological disease along with inflammation of the brain and membranes around the spinal cord. Officials in some Massachusetts towns have urged people to avoid going outdoors at night this summer because of concerns over the virus.

(More eastern equine encephalitis stories.)

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