On August 27, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services reported that a resident died after being bit by a mosquito infected with the Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. This marks the first human EEE death in the United States this year, according to NBC News. Even though EEE is rare, 30 percent of human cases result in death, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other cases may lead to lasting neurological complications.
Massachusetts and Vermont have also reported “Triple E” virus cases this month. To combat the growing viral threat, some Massachusetts towns urged people to avoid going past 6 p.m., as mosquitoes tend to be more active later in the evening until dawn; parks and recreational areas are shutting down earlier, too.
Because of warming global temperatures, mosquitoes won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, mosquito season is extending—especially in the northeastern states, as temps have increased much more rapidly on the East Coast than in other parts of the country. (You can enter your city in this handy tool to see how much longer mosquito season…
