WATERBURY, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont health officials on Thursday reported the first confirmed death related to Eastern Equine Encephalitis since 2012.
The Chittenden County resident, a man in his 70s, was hospitalized in late August, authorities said. He passed away due to illness in September.
“My condolences go out to the family and everyone affected by this tragic event,” Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine said in a statement. “This is a heartbreaking reminder that while infections with the virus that causes EEE remain rare, the disease can have serious consequences.”
This announcement brings the total number of human cases of EEE confirmed in Vermont this year to two. The first infected person, who was confirmed to have the virus in early August, has since recovered. The two EEE cases are the first detected in the state since 2012. Similar cases have been recorded throughout New England throughout the season.
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