Concerns about mosquito-borne diseases are growing following the death of a New Hampshire man

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) — Concerns about mosquito-borne diseases are growing across the country and in the Bay State. Many people are alarmed after hearing that a person in New England who contracted Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE) has died.

On Tuesday, authorities announced that a person in New Hampshire had died from electrical and electronic equipment. They noted that the adult from Hampstead tested positive and was hospitalized for severe central nervous system disease. Although the case occurred in another state, it still raises alarm among people in western Massachusetts.

“It's crazy to hear that someone is dying from mosquitoes, small insects that can easily bite you,” said Ibo Ibas of Ludlow.

Ibas told Western Mass News that he hasn't been outside much this summer but is worried about his father.

“My father works outside and the first thing that comes to my mind is, 'Oh, he works outside. He could get bitten by a mosquito or get infected with the virus,'” Ibas added.

Data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health showed that one human case of electrical and electronic equipment and four cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the Bay State. Massachusetts Department of Public Health epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown said the numbers are in line with the annual average in Massachusetts, adding that evaluating human cases is essential to public health. In an email, she explained:

“[West Nile Virus] was introduced into the United States in 1999, and the first case in Massachusetts occurred in 2001. Since then, we have typically had 5-10 cases per year, including 0 cases in 2004 and 2009 and 50 cases in 2018.”

“The electrical and electronic equipment cases go back further, but during the same period there were outbreaks in 2004-2006, 2010-2012 and 2019-2020. The 2019-2020 outbreak was the worst since the 1950s and there were 17 human cases with seven deaths…”

Because of the danger posed by mosquitoes, experts say residents should be vigilant when spending time outdoors during the warmer months.

“Unfortunately, things are unfolding as expected,” said Stephen Rich, a professor of microbiology at the University of Massachusetts.

Rich explained that 95 percent of people infected by mosquitoes probably never experience any symptoms.

“About a third of the four to five percent who become ill develop the most severe form of the disease, which is encephalitis, which is swelling of the brain,” explains Rich.

Even if the statistics are in your favor, it's important to be aware. Rich said there is no treatment for EEE or West Nile virus, only symptom treatment.

“The goal is to prevent mosquito bites… Use repellents, use repellents that contain pyrethrin… work well and remember to treat your clothes with pyrethrin., that kills the mosquitoes that land on your clothes,” Rich added.

Rich also advised avoiding being outdoors during the times when mosquitoes are most active: dawn and dusk. He added that mosquito season usually ends around the first frost.

Copyright 2024. Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). All rights reserved.