Second Connecticut Resident Dies From EEE Virus

OLD LYME, CT—A second person has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis in the Lymes. The latest victim is from Old Lyme. An East Lyme resident died last week after contracting the virus. State health officials said the latest victim was hospitalized after becoming infected with EEE earlier this month.

During a press conference Tuesday, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and officials from the state departments of Public Health and Energy and Environmental Protection, among others announced the second death.

Officials from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Transportation were at the news conference.

See also: Patricia Alice 'Pat' Shaw of East Lyme Died From EEE Virus

States throughout the Northeast are also experiencing an active season for EEE, health officials said in a press release.

See related: Parks In This CT Town On Curfew In Wake Of Mosquito 'Emergency'

The town of South Windsor this week declared a public health emergency after officials confirmed the positive identification of a mosquito infected with the Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus.

In addition to the virus being found in mosquitoes, there have been a total of 10 human cases of EEE infection in Massachusetts, including two fatalities, and three human cases in Rhode Island, including 1 fatality. Although EEE-infected mosquitoes continue to be detected in the southeastern corner of Connecticut, the numbers are declining and we are not experiencing the excessively high levels of activity seen in Massachusetts.

It takes four to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito to develop symptoms of EEE. Severe cases of EEE virus infection result in encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die and there is no specific treatment for EEE.

State health officials advise against unnecessary trips into mosquito breeding grounds and marshes as the mosquitoes that transmit EEE virus are associated with freshwater swamps and are most active at dusk and dawn.

Overnight camping or other substantial outdoor exposure in freshwater swamps in Connecticut should be avoided. Even though the temperatures are getting cooler, mosquitoes continue to be active until the first heavy frost and residents should continue to take measures to prevent mosquito bites. Pesticide spraying to kill adult mosquitoes is unlikely to be effective at this time of year when it is cooler at night and mosquitoes are less active.

In a press release, Gov. Ned Lamont advised people in Connecticut to take proper precautions to protect themselves against EEE.

“State government is being cautious on peoples’ behalf and we are just warning folks to be careful, but there is no need to panic,” Lamont said. “We want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to provide updated information on these developments to the people of our state. If you must be outside early in the morning or at dusk, it’s a good idea to take some simple precautions.”

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said citizens should be informed and not "panic, but please remember to use bug spray, wear long sleeves and pants, and try to avoid spending time outdoors after dusk."

Health officials said a third of patients who develop EEE die and there is no specific treatment for EEE.