Massachusetts officials report two deaths linked to mosquito-borne virus
BOSTON (AP) – Two Massachusetts residents have died from the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, a rare but serious disease spread by mosquitos, public health officials said yesterday.
The patients were from Kingston and Halifax in the southeastern part of the state, said Donna Rheaume, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Health.
There have only been about 200 confirmed cases in the United States since 1964, according to the federal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Massachusetts is among the states that has had the largest number of cases; others are Florida, Georgia, and New Jersey.
Eastern equine encephalitis is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. The virus kills around 35 per cent of the people who contract it, and causes mild to severe neurological problems in another 35 per cent. There is no licensed vaccine for humans.
The virus also can affect birds and horses.
