Sudbury 5-year-old diagnosed with EEE released from hospital

SUDBURY, Mass. — The 5-year-old Sudbury girl diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been released from Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Five-year-old Sophia Garabedian was diagnosed with the rare, but deadly mosquito-borne virus in September. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition after testing positive for the virus.

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Soon after, her mother said Sophia was showing signs of improvement and doctors said the swelling in her brain was starting to go down.

>> More: Sudbury girl with EEE showing signs of improvement

On Friday, Sophia reached a major milestone; going back home with her family. Her family shared photos of her saying goodbye to staff and leaving the hospital.

"Over the past month we have experienced one of the most difficult challenges of our lives. However, at the same time we have also felt the incredible love and support for Sophia and our family as we have gone through it..... Sophia has been so courageous through this entire ordeal and made enormous progress from those terrifying first hours and days to waking up, breathing on her own, first words and steps and now at a point where she can go home."

— The Garabedian Family

"Sophia's spirit and love have always brought joy to our family. Through the support of the community, skill of her caregivers and strength of her spirit we still have our precious daughter and a bright future to look forward to together."

Cox Media Group