A 54-year-old father in New Hampshire is in critical condition in the hospital after contracting three different mosquito-borne viruses: eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), West Nile virus, and St. Louis encephalitis. Joe Casey of Kensington, New Hampshire, has been hospitalized for several weeks with a severe illness affecting his brain and nervous system. Initially, he was disoriented with a fever and was brought to the emergency room, where his condition worsened, and he ended up in the ICU unable to move or speak due to swelling and fluid in his brain.
Encephalitis is a serious and potentially fatal condition where the brain becomes swollen due to inflammation, and it is a possible complication of all three of the mosquito-borne viruses that Casey contracted. Testing showed that Casey had antibodies for EEE, West Nile virus, and St. Louis encephalitis, but doctors are still unsure which virus is causing his symptoms. While most people infected with these viruses do not develop symptoms, some may experience severe neuroinvasive disease, which can lead to inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues and, in rare cases, death.
Casey’s condition has shown some improvement recently, but he remains in the hospital with a long road to recovery ahead. His family is hopeful as he has been able to speak, follow commands, and engage in therapy sessions. Unfortunately, this news comes shortly after another New Hampshire resident, 41-year-old Steven Perry, passed away from EEE. There has been an increase in mosquito-borne viruses in the U.S. this year, with numerous cases of West Nile virus reported along with confirmed cases of EEE-related neuroinvasive disease in multiple states.
The EEE virus has been detected in mosquitoes and one horse in Kensington, New Hampshire, where Casey resides. The treatment for these viruses involves supportive care to manage symptoms and complications as there are no specific treatments or vaccines available. Casey’s family is hopeful for a full recovery and is reminding the public about the dangers of mosquito-borne viruses and the importance of prevention, such as wearing long sleeves, pants, and bug spray when outdoors. As Casey continues to recover, his family is advocating for increased awareness and caution to prevent similar cases in the future.
As Casey’s family remains by his side throughout his recovery, they emphasize the importance of being cautious when outdoors and taking steps to protect against mosquito bites. Casey’s wife and children are deeply involved in his care, highlighting the strong family bond and the impact this illness has had on their lives. The family’s hope is for Casey to fully recover from this devastating illness caused by a mosquito bite and to raise awareness about the risks of mosquito-borne viruses to prevent further cases in the future.
