Family devastated after New Hampshire man dies from infection that prompted ‘soft lockdowns’ on East Coast

The family of a New Hampshire man who died from an infection that caused brain swelling has spoken out about the horrors of the disease.

Last month, Steven Perry, 41, became the first person in the state in 10 years to contract Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) after being bitten by a mosquito.

While his family noted that Mr. Perry did not develop symptoms until August 10 or 11, his mother found him on August 12, staring into space and unable to lift his arm.

Mr. Perry’s brother rushed him to Mass General Hospital in Boston, and within days, CT scans showed that viable tissue in his brain was gone. Mr. Perry died a week after being admitted to the hospital.

Steven Perry, 41, of Hampstead, New Hampshire, died after a seven-day battle with Eastern Equine Encephalitis

He was rushed to hospital on August 12 after his family noticed him acting strangely, but was pronounced dead on August 19 – a week later

“It took over his brain,” said his mother, Judi Perry Boston 25 News. ‘His whole brain was infected. It happened fast.’

“He was a great guy. It’s heartbreaking. Very hard to comprehend.”

Mr. Perry’s death comes as a wave of illnesses sweeps the East Coast, prompting several counties in Massachusetts and Vermont to issue stay-at-home orders.

Maine health officials are also considering instituting lockdowns and declaring EEE a public health emergency.

Although his family is not sure exactly how he contracted the infection, they did note that he spent time at a family lake house, where EEE was present in mosquitoes.

EEE is extremely rare in humans, affecting only 11 people per year, according to the CDC. However, the risks are significant.

A third of people infected with Triple E die. Those who recover often have physical and mental problems for the rest of their lives.

Mr. Perry is survived by his mother, girlfriend, three siblings and six nieces and nephews. He is pictured above. Mr. Perry was also described as an avid golfer

The map above shows the provinces where EEE has been detected between 2003 and 2023. The dark blue areas represent places with human cases

The number of cases of EEE appears to have increased slightly since the Covid pandemic, although experts say the virus is still rare in humans

The virus circulates in the environment between mosquitoes and birds that are commonly found in freshwater marshes. People and other animals such as horses can become infected when mosquitoes feed on them. Horses cannot spread the virus.

According to the most recent data from the CDC, Wisconsin, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Jersey have each reported one human case this year.

There are no vaccines or medications to treat Triple E. The CDC recommends protecting yourself from mosquito bites with insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and pants.

“If Steven’s death can be used to prevent someone, any person, any family from having to endure this kind of unimaginable loss, then it’s worth it,” Perry’s sister Susan Hamilton told Boston 25 News.

‘If it affects you or your family, it doesn’t matter how rare it is.

“The more people know about this, the more people can take it seriously. We just hope that people listen.”