A healthy New Hampshire man has died after a week-long battle with a mosquito-borne virus that primarily affects horses.
Steven Perry, 41, of Hampstead, about 40 miles from Boston, became the first person in the state in 10 years to be infected with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
He was rushed to hospital on 12 August but was declared dead on 19 August. An autopsy revealed he was infected with ‘Triple E’, which he must have contracted from a mosquito bite.
Paying tribute to her brother, who had no underlying health conditions, his sister Susan said he was funny, optimistic and “the glue of the family”.
Steven Perry, 41, of Hampstead, New Hampshire, died after a seven-day battle with Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
He was rushed to hospital on August 12 after his family noticed he was acting strange, but was pronounced dead on August 19, a week later.
This comes amid heightened concerns about mosquito-borne illnesses in New England, as ten Massachusetts counties issue nightly curfew warnings to guard against the virus.
Several US cities are also spraying pesticides to deter mosquitoes, which can become increasingly disease-carrying.
And former White House Covid doctor Anthony Fauci revealed he was hospitalized earlier this month with West Nile virus, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes.
Writing a tribute in his obituary, the family said: ‘It is with great sadness that the family acknowledges that Steven left those he loved far too soon after being struck down by a sudden and rare brain infection.
‘Steven was known for his kindness, sense of humor and unwavering love for his family and friends.
‘He was a devoted son, brother, uncle and friend who brought joy and laughter to all who knew him.
Mr Perry is survived by his mother, girlfriend, three brothers and six nephews. He is pictured above. Mr Perry was also described as an avid golfer.
‘Steven was very proud of his career as Director of Nursing Services at Hampstead and worked alongside his mother for many years.
‘He was also an avid sports fan, whose knowledge and passion for sports was immeasurable.
‘He was a passionate golfer and enjoyed the game even more when he played with his nephews.’
It was not clear what symptoms Mr Perry had suffered or when or where he had become infected.
But humans contract the disease through the bites of mosquitoes, which pick up the virus from birds and usually transmit it to horses, giving it the name Eastern equine encephalitis or horse brain disease.
Mr. Perry is survived by his mother, his girlfriend, three brothers and six nieces and nephews.
He died after being treated at Mass General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
EEE is a rare disease among humans, with about 11 cases and several deaths reported in the U.S. each year, typically between July and September.
For comparison, more than a hundred cases are recorded in horses each year.
So far this year, there have been four cases and one death: one each in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont and Wisconsin.
Up to a third of patients die from the virus, which is often fatal because it progresses rapidly and attacks a patient’s nerve cells, triggering a severe immune response.
The map above shows counties where EEE has been detected between 2003 and 2023. Dark blue areas represent locations with human cases.
EEE cases appear to have risen slightly since the Covid pandemic, although experts say the virus remains rare in people.
There are also no vaccines or specific treatments against the virus.
It is a neurotropic virus, meaning it attacks nerve cells, and belongs to the same category as rabies, the West Nile virus and the Zika virus, among others.
In the early stages, patients may experience fever, headache and joint pain.
But the virus spreads quickly to the brain and causes inflammation (or brain swelling), which can lead to seizures, altered mental status, and paralysis.
Authorities say many of those who survive the infection are often left with severe brain damage and require around-the-clock care for the rest of their lives.
The best way to avoid the virus is to apply mosquito repellent to prevent bites.
The case marks the first human death from the disease in New Hampshire since 2014. So far this summer, EEE has been found in one New Hampshire horse and in seven litters of mosquitoes.