A resident of Hampstead, New Hampshire, has died after contracting the rare eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The individual, identified only as an adult, was hospitalized with severe central nervous system disease and later succumbed to the illness.
This marks the first human case of EEE in New Hampshire since 2014, when the state reported three infections, including two fatalities. The recent death has heightened concerns among New England health officials about the growing threat of EEE, a risk that experts believe is being exacerbated by climate change.
Earlier this month, Massachusetts confirmed its first human case of EEE for the year, involving an 80-year-old man. In response, state officials have implemented measures such as voluntary outdoor curfews, the closure of public parks, and aerial and ground spraying to reduce the mosquito population.
EEE symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, and drowsiness. The virus can also lead to severe neurological conditions, such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes around the spinal cord). Approximately 30 percent of those infected with EEE die, and many survivors suffer long-term physical or mental health issues. Individuals under 15 and over 50 are at higher risk.
Currently, there are no vaccines or 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 by Climate Central noted that the number of “mosquito days”—warm, humid conditions favorable for mosquito activity—has increased across much of the US over the past four decades, driven by human-caused climate change.
