R.I. Man Infected With Equine Encephalitis
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Public health officials in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have announced this summer's first case of eastern equine encephalitis in a person.
Citing privacy, officials identified him Sunday only as a Rhode Island man in his 20s from Newport County. He is in critical condition.
Officials say his exposure to a mosquito carrying the encephalitis likely occurred in southeastern Massachusetts, which has been identified as an area of high risk. Officials say his symptoms first occurred August fifth, before aerial spraying.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Officials say aerial spraying from August fifth to seventh has reduced the mosquito population by 80 percent and the number of mammal-biting mosquitoes by 90 percent. Mammal-biting mosquitoes pose the greatest risk to humans.