Another New Hampshire resident has died of Eastern equine encephalitis, Granite State health officials said Friday.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said Friday that a 5th person has tested positive for EEE this year. The individual, an adult from Danville, was hospitalized and later passed away.
The NH DHHS says all five people who came down with the infections first tested positive in August.
Although the NH DHHS says mortality numbers will not be released until the end of mosquito season, the family of a Hampstead, NH man told Boston 25 News that EEE was the cause of his death.
[ ‘Tragic, sudden loss’: Family of NH man who died from EEE commends spraying in Massachusetts ]
New Hampshire residents are asked to be on alert for mosquitos even as the weather gets colder.
“The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is mosquito bite prevention,” a New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said. “To help prevent mosquito bites, Granite Staters can use EPA-registered mosquito repellents, wear long sleeves and pants when outside, and consider avoiding outdoor activities in the early morning and evening hours when mosquitos are most active. These steps will remain important into the fall until a hard frost kills the mosquitos.”
[ ‘Consumed his brain’: Family of EEE victim urges mosquito precautions as new cases tick up in Mass. ]
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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