A New Hampshire resident has died from eastern equine encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease, health officials said Tuesday. Family identified the man as 41-year-old Steven Perry of Hampstead. Perry was hospitalized with a severe central nervous system disorder and later died, health officials said. Perry’s mother, Judith, said he was young and healthy and couldn’t believe a mosquito was to blame. Family members told News 9 that Steven was an avid golfer and health professional who loved taking care of others. EEE is a rare but serious mosquito-borne disease. New Hampshire’s last reported human E.E.E. infection was in 2014, when three cases were identified and two people died. . “So, this is a serious infection. We want people to know it’s out there and circulating.”>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
A New Hampshire resident has died of eastern equine encephalitis, a mosquito-borne disease, health officials said Tuesday.
Family identified the man as 41-year-old Steven Perry of Hampstead. Perry was hospitalized with a severe central nervous system disorder and later died, health officials said.
Perry’s mother, Judith, said he was young and healthy and couldn’t believe a mosquito was responsible.
Family members told News 9 that Steven was an avid golfer and health professional who loved taking care of others.
EEE is a rare but serious mosquito-borne disease. The last reported human EEE infection in New Hampshire was in 2014, when three cases were identified and two people died.
“About a third of people die from their infections, and many end up with lifelong physical or mental disabilities,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan. “So, this is a serious infection. We want people to be aware that it’s out there and circulating.”
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EEE has been detected in at least one horse and seven mosquito herds in New Hampshire so far this summer. The virus has also been detected in Massachusetts and Vermont this year.
For some, Perry’s death is a reminder of the deep loss that can come from a bite.
“It’s personal because I had a friend who passed away, a family member who passed away. So, it’s sad,” Hampstead resident Denise said.
Mosquitoes in New Hampshire also transmit West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus. Health officials urge everyone to use mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves and pants to avoid mosquito bites.
Judith said she hopes people will understand that mosquitoes are not pesky little bugs and that covering up outdoors and using repellents can make all the difference.
The risk of mosquito-borne disease will continue until there is a hard freeze this fall.
