NH man recovering after contracting 3 mosquito-borne illnesses

KENSINGTON, N.H. (WCAX) – Things are looking up for a New Hampshire man diagnosed with three mosquito-borne illnesses at once.

Joe Casey This summer was diagnosed with triple-e, West Nile virus, and St. Louis encephalitis. The 55-year-old became deathly ill and was in a coma for three weeks. When he woke up, he couldn’t walk, talk, or perform many basic functions. And with another 10 weeks left of rehab from a simple mosquito bite, Casey is urging caution.

“Don’t underestimate the size of the villain here, whatever. You just have to be ready and be prepared. You’re taking your kids to ballparks, whatever please douse them with DEET, douse yourself with DEET. And stay alert,” Casey said.

A man in his 70s died of triple-e in Vermont this year, and Hampstead, New Hampshire, also saw a fatal case of the virus.

The first hard frost decreases the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, but until then, The Vermont Health Department is reminding residents to take precautions.

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