The US state of Michigan is experiencing the worst outbreak of deadly mosquito-borne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis in decades
A man died after a rare virus from a mosquito bite that saw him go from ‘perfectly healthy to brain dead’ in just nine days.
American Gregg McChesney, 64, became infected with the mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Health officials in the US state say he is the third person in Michigan to die from the extremely rare viral illness this year.
His brother, Mark McChesney, told a local network he suddenly had a seizure and was rushed to the emergency department.
He said his brother “was [a] perfectly healthy, happy human being and within a matter of fine days, he went from perfectly healthy to brain dead,” reports the New York Post .
The Michigan artist died following a nine-day illness.
The state is this year facing the worst outbreak of the rare but potentially deadly mosquito-borne illness since 2002.
Officials say there has been seven confirmed cases of EEE in Michigan this year, including three deaths.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services department’s chief Dr Joneigh Khaldun issued a statement warning of the virus.
“Michigan is currently experiencing its worst Eastern Equine Encephalitis outbreak in more than a decade,” he said.
“The ongoing cases reported in humans and animals and the severity of this disease illustrate the importance of taking precautions against mosquito bites.”
Encephalitis swells the brain, which can cause chills, fever, headache, drowsiness, diarrhoea, convulsions, coma – and in approximately a third of cases, death.
Those who recover from the dangerous illness can facing debilitating lifelong intellectual and physical impairments.
No human vaccine against the disease is available yet.
