HAMPSTEAD, NH – A 41-year-old man from Hampstead, New Hampshire, has died after contracting the mosquito-borne virus known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis. He has been identified by his family as Steven Perry, 41.
His family told WBZ that Perry was in good health and had no underlying medical conditions. He was hospitalized with a serious central nervous system condition and died a week later.
“Steven had a sense of adventure, lived a full life and was happiest when spending time with his family, who meant the world to him,” his family wrote in his obituary.
His sister told WBZ that Perry was funny, optimistic, intelligent and driven.
Family photo
The last reported human case of EEE in New Hampshire was in 2014, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. That year, three people were infected and two died.
So far this summer, EEE has been detected in one New Hampshire horse and in seven groups of mosquitoes.
State health officials call EEE a “rare but serious” disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.
“In New Hampshire, mosquitoes transmit infections such as Eastern equine encephalitis virus, West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus,” state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said in a statement. “We believe there is a high risk of Eastern equine encephalitis virus infections this year in New England, based on the positive mosquito samples identified. The risk will persist through the fall, until a hard frost kills the mosquitoes. Everyone should take steps to avoid mosquito bites when outdoors.”
Diagnosis of EEE in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is also facing EEE problems. The state announced earlier this month that an Oxford man in his 80s had become the First person in Massachusetts diagnosed with EEE since 2020.
Massachusetts reported 12 human cases of EEE and six deaths in 2019. There were five human cases in 2020, including one death.
Oxford’s Board of Health has approved a outdoor curfew in town, finishing activities before dusk to avoid peak mosquito times. Plymouth also chose close parks and fields from dusk until dawn, after the city’s EEE risk was high.
Some counties in Massachusetts have begun mosquito spray.
Massachusetts health officials announced two new human cases of West Nile virus in the state Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases this year to four. One person was exposed in Suffolk County and the other in Norfolk County. West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can spread to humans.
The following cities have been classified as high risk for WNV: Boston, Cambridge, Everett, Medford, Newton, Somerville, Watertown, Brookline, Milton and Quincy.
What is the EEA?
Health officials said EEE can cause flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle and joint aches.
The disease can also cause inflammation of the brain and the membranes surrounding the curvature of the spine.
About a third of people who develop EEE die from their infection, while New Hampshire health officials said many more could suffer lifelong physical or mental consequences.
There is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment for EEE.
The threat of EEE usually diminishes with the first frosts.
