Newport County Man Contracts EEE

A Newport County man is in critical condition after contracting the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus in Southeastern Massachusetts earlier this month.

RI Department of Health spokeswoman Anne Marie Beardsworth told Patch that the man, who is in his 20s, was still in critical condition at a Rhode Island hospital as of Sunday evening.

The case marks the summer's first reported case of eastern equine encephalitis in either Rhode Island or Massachusetts.

Beardsworth said the man likely contracted EEE after outdoor activities in Southeastern Massachusetts on August 5. Several communities in that area had an elevated risk for EEE after several mosquito pools there tested positive for the virus. Beardsworth said those communities were sprayed a couple of weeks ago.

While no mosquito traps in Rhode Island have tested positive for EEE or West Nile Virus so far this summer, Beardsworth said residents should still take precautions.

"Wear bug spray, limit your outdoor activity at sunset and sunrise because that's when mosquitoes are most active," she said. "If you have to be outside at those times, try to wear long sleeves and pants. Make sure that all of your screens are in good repair, that there's no holes, and that there isn't any standing water in your yard."

Beardsworth said if someone does contract EEE, symptoms will typically take two to 10 days to appear. Fever, headaches and muscle aches are all symptoms, and will gradually become more severe, she said.