Married father-of-four is fighting for life after getting bitten by a mosquito and testing positive for three mosquito-borne viruses including EEE

A married father-of-four has been left fighting for his life after getting bitten by a mosquito and testing positive for three mosquito-borne viruses including EEE. 

Joe Casey, 54, from New Hampshire, has tested positive for antibodies for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), the West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis after being bitten by a mosquito, according to his sister-in-law, Angela Barker.

'But the CDC, the infectious disease doctors don't know which one is making him this sick,' she told CBS News.

Ms Barker said that Casey, who has four children with his wife Kim, got sick in early August and since developed life-threatening brain swelling, also known as cerebral edema.

'My brother-in-law is not a small man, and to see someone that you love be as sick as he is and not be able to talk, to move, to communicate for over three weeks is terrifying and gut-wrenching,' she explained.

Joe Casey (pictured with his wife Kim), 54, from New Hampshire , has tested positive for antibodies for eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), the West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis after being bitten by a mosquito, according to his sister-in-law, Angela Barker

Ms Barker said that Casey, who has four children with his wife Kim, got sick in early August and since developed swelling in the brain (pictured: Joe Casey with Kim and his daughter)

'My brother-in-law is not a small man, and to see someone that you love be as sick as he is and not be able to talk, to move, to communicate for over three weeks is terrifying and gut-wrenching,' Angela Barker (pictured) explained

She said that Casey will have to move into a long-term care and patient rehabilitation facility, where he can receive 24-hour care, after his stay at Exeter Hospital.

To help with the cost of his recovery, Ms Barker set up a fundraising page, which she said received a lot of support from the community. 

This comes amid a surge in concerns over mosquito-borne diseases in New England, as ten counties in Massachusetts have issued night-time curfew warnings to protect against viruses transmitted by the insects.

Several cities in the US are also spraying pesticides to deter mosquitoes, which may be becoming increasingly disease-ridden.

Officials are spraying the streets at night when people are less likely to be outside to reduce residents' exposure to the chemicals, which can be harmful to breathe in or ingest. The doses will also be 'ultra-low volume'. 

Massachusetts, New York, Texas and California are among the states deploying pesticides to repel the increasingly disease-ridden insects.

In Massachusetts, towns in southern Worcester County and Plymouth County have taken an aggressive approach to fighting mosquito-borne illness this month after an 80-year-old man from Worcester County caught EEE - the state's first human case since 2020. 

To curb the spread of this virus, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will spray the pesticide Anvil 10+10 from trucks and planes overnight, starting shortly after dusk and ending in the early morning.

In addition to pesticide spraying, officials in Oxford, MA instated a voluntary curfew urging residents to stay inside after 6p.m. to avoid mosquito bites. 

And in Plymouth, MA, officials have ordered parks to close from dusk until dawn when mosquitoes are most active. 

Public health departments will be spraying pesticides near these four cities to combat the spread of deadly mosquito-borne illnesses.

Cities will use trucks and planes to spray the mosquito-killing pesticides in areas with high disease risk

A number of Americans have died from mosquito-borne illnesses this year, including a New Hampshire man who died from EEE in August (file image)

Meanwhile, New York City, Arlington, and San Jose will be battling a different disease: West Nile Virus. WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental US.

A number of Americans have died from mosquito-borne illnesses this year, including 41-year-old Steven Perry who died from EEE in August. 

It was the state's first human case in 10 years.

Mr Perry was rushed to the hospital on August 12 but was declared dead on August 19. 

An autopsy revealed EEE, which he must have caught from a mosquito bite.

The virus circulates in the environment between mosquitos and birds typically found in freshwater swamps. 

Humans and other animals like horses may become infected when mosquitos feed on them, however, horses cannot spread the virus.  

The CDC estimates that just 11 human cases occur in the US every year, though the risks are severe. 

One-third of people infected with Triple E die and those who recover are often left with lifelong physical and mental difficulties.  

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

'It is also important for residents to remove standing water from around their homes to reduce mosquito populations and ensure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes,' the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) advised. 

Paying tribute to her brother, who had no underlying health conditions, Mr Perry's sister Susan said he was funny, upbeat and the 'glue of the family'.

Writing a tribute in his obituary, the family said: 'It is with heavy hearts that the family acknowledges that Steven left those that he loved far too soon after being stricken by a sudden and rare brain infection.

'Steven was known for his kindness, sense of humor, and unwavering love for his family and friends. 

'He was a devoted son, brother, uncle and friend who brought joy and laughter to all who knew him.

'Steven took great pride in his career as Director of Hampstead Nursing Services working alongside his mother for many years. 

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

He was rushed to the hospital on August 12 after his family noticed he was acting strangely, but was declared dead on August 19 - a week later

A prominent figure who also got infected with a virus spread by mosquitoes is former White House Covid doctor Anthony Fauci, who was hospitalized with West Nile Virus in August 

'He was also an avid sports fan whose knowledge and passion for sports was beyond measure. 

'He was an avid golfer and enjoyed the game even more when playing with his nephews.'

It was not clear what symptoms Mr Perry had suffered, or when or where he had become infected.

In addition to Mr Perry and Mr Casey, one horse and seven mosquito batches have been infected with EEE so far this summer.

Mr Casey also tested positive for St Louis encephalitis, which is also spread by mosquitoes in North and South America. Humans can become infected when mosquitos feed on infected birds and bite people. 

According to the CDC, there were no known human cases of St Louis encephalitis this year, as of August 27. 

Mr Casey also showed antibodies from West Nile virus, the same disease that hospitalized Dr Anthony Fauci last month. 

Cases of the mosquito-borne illness have been rising in recent years, with about 2,500 cases recorded last year — more than double the 1,130 in 2022.

Experts say these figures are likely a vast undercount, however, because most people who catch the virus are not tested for it.

There are about 150 deaths from the disease every year. In 2024, 289 cases have been reported so far in 33 states. 

Fauci, 83, who served on the White House Coronavirus Task Force, is expected to make a full recovery, a spokesperson told CNN, after he was hospitalized for six days with the virus.

Fauci, the former longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recovered from the virus at home. 

About one in five patients develop symptoms of West Nile, which can include a rash, pictured above. Less than one percent of these go on to suffer from a serious form of the disease that leads to brain swelling. 

Fauci himself addressed the West Nile virus back in 2004, when he was still NIAID director.

Responding to a question from someone on the online 'Ask the White House' forum, he wrote that the best way to prevent the virus is through mosquito control.

He added that there were 'a number of promising candidates' for a vaccine, but there remains no cure or inoculation for the virus over twenty years after he made this statement.