A resident of Hampstead, New Hampshire, has died after contracting the rare mosquito-borne virus known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), according to state health officials. The adult patient, whose identity has not been disclosed, was hospitalized with severe central nervous system disease and later died from the illness, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reported.
This marks the first case of EEE in New Hampshire since 2014, when the state recorded three human infections, two of which were fatal, according to DHHS.
The recent death has heightened concerns among officials in New England about the growing threat of EEE, a risk that is believed to be increasing due to climate change.
Earlier this month, Massachusetts confirmed its first human case of EEE for the year—a man in his 80s. In response, state officials have urged the public to follow voluntary outdoor curfews, closed public parks, and initiated both aerial and ground spraying efforts to control the mosquito population.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that EEE symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness. The virus can also lead to severe neurological conditions, such as encephalitis and meningitis, which involve inflammation of the brain and the membranes surrounding the spinal cord.
Approximately 30 percent of those infected with EEE die, and many survivors suffer long-term physical or mental effects. Individuals under the age of 15 and over 50 are considered to be at higher risk. Currently, there are no vaccines or specific treatments available for EEE.
Health officials recommend using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing outdoors, and eliminating standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
A 2023 report from Climate Central noted that the number of “mosquito days”—periods of warm, humid conditions favorable for mosquito activity—has increased across much of the U.S. over the past four decades, largely due to human-caused climate change.
