Aug 21, 2007 7:22 am US/Eastern
N.H. Resident Infected With EEE
NEWTON, N.H. (WBZ) ―
The first person infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis in 2007 is being treated at a Massachusetts hospital and expected to recover, New Hampshire state health officials said.
The unidentified victim is a resident of Newton, New Hampshire. He tested positive for the disease Sunday.
Dr. Jose Montero, state epidemiologist, said the man, who is in his 60s, is no longer in the critical stage.
He was taken to Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, Mass. but was expected to be transported to a rehab hospital closer to his home.
Two years ago, a 20-year-old Kelly Labell, also from Newton, contracted EEE and died.
"I'm sorry for the family, that's for sure," Rick Labell, Kelly's father, said Monday.
Earlier this month, mosquito pools in Newton and Brentwood tested positive.
Health officials say residents and visitors should do all they can to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. They recommend using insect repellent; wearing long sleeves and pants while outside, especially at dusk and dawn; and removing standing water on their property.
For more information on eastern equine encephalitis or West Nile Virus, call the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services toll-free information line at 866.273.6543 or log onto
www.dhhs.nh.gov.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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