A New Hampshire resident who tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis virus, a mosquito-borne infection, has died, state health officials said.
The Hampstead resident’s infection is the first in the state in a decade, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday.
The resident, whom the department identified as only an adult, had been hospitalized with severe central nervous system symptoms, the department said.
About a third of people who develop encephalitis from the virus die from the infection, and survivors may suffer lifelong mental and physical disabilities.
There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment available.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are typically about 11 human cases of eastern equine encephalitis per year in the United States.
In 2014, three cases of infection with the virus were reported in humans in New Hampshire, two of which resulted in death.
The health department said the virus, which is rare but serious, was also detected in a horse and several clusters of mosquitoes in New Hampshire this summer.
The virus also appeared in neighboring states this summer, with human cases in Massachusetts and Vermont, the New Hampshire Department of Health said.
The virus can cause flu-like symptoms and can also lead to serious neurological disease and inflammation of the brain and membranes surrounding the spinal cord.
The virus also appeared in neighboring states this summer, with human cases in Massachusetts and Vermont, the New Hampshire Department of Health said.
The virus can cause flu-like symptoms and can also lead to serious neurological disease and inflammation of the brain and membranes surrounding the spinal cord.
“We believe there is a high risk of EEEV infections this year in New England, based on the positive mosquito samples identified. The risk will persist into the fall, until a hard frost kills the mosquitoes. Everyone should take steps to avoid mosquito bites when outdoors,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist.
