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A 54-year-old father in New Hampshire is fighting for his life in the hospital after contracting three different mosquito-borne viruses: eastern equine encephalitis or “EEE,” West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis.
Joe Casey of Kensington, New Hampshire, has been hospitalized for several weeks with a severe illness affecting his brain and nervous system, while doctors try to determine which virus is causing his debilitating symptoms.
“Joe first became sick on August 8, 2024. He was brought to Exeter NH hospital emergency room, as he was disoriented and had a fever,” Casey’s sister-in-law, Angela Barker, tells TODAY.com via email.
The father of four’s conditioned worsened at the hospital, and he soon wound up in the intensive care unit unable to move or speak. “He was in the ICU for over 3 weeks on a ventilator and then had a tracheostomy,” says Barker. MRIs revealed that Casey had swelling and fluid in his brain due to encephalitis, she adds.
Encephalitis is serious and potentially fatal condition where the brain becomes swollen due to inflammation. It is a possible complication of all three of the mosquito-borne viruses Casey contracted.
“Anyone that knows Joe, knows he’s a big strong guy so seeing someone that you love that cannot breathe on their own, talk or move for over 3 weeks is incredibly hard and terrifying, all caused by a little mosquito,” says Barker.
Testing showed that Casey had antibodies for EEE, West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. However, doctors still aren’t sure which virus is causing his symptoms. “To date, we still have not heard back from the state lab (or) CDC about which one is making him sick but as far as the hospital is concerned, the working diagnosis is EEE,” Barker says.
All three of these viruses are spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who become infected with these viruses do not develop symptoms. Those who do may experience a fever and flu-like illness, such as a headache, fatigue and joint pain.
Some people can develop severe neuroinvasive disease, which causes inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Rarely, West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis can cause death — the mortality rate for EEE is higher, about 30% of people with EEE will die.
Those who do recover from severe neuroinvasive disease caused by these viruses can be left with long-term mental or physical disabilities.
Casey’s condition has improved in the past week, Barker says, but he remains in the hospital and has a long road to recovery ahead. “I am happy to say he is now in the Progressive Care Unit, the trach came out (Sep. 2) and we are hoping to see him go to an inpatient long term rehabilitation center this week,” says Barker.
Currently, Casey is “able to speak some, follow some commands and can squeeze a tennis ball, (and) blow and scratch his own nose, which wasn’t possible a week ago,” Barker adds.
The once-active father of four now spends most of his day in a chair in the PCU, and is doing physical, occupational and speech therapy every day. “That seems to be helping with his progress,” says Barker.
News of Casey’s illness comes just one week after 41-year-old Steven Perry of Hampstead, New Hampshire, died after contracting EEE and developing severe central nervous system disease, TODAY.com previously reported.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has seen increased activity for several mosquito-borne viruses. There have been at least 377 cases of West Nile virus, including 255 cases of neuroinvasive disease, reported in 38 states this year, per the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
EEE is also spreading, especially in the Northeast. So far, in 2024, there have been at least six human cases of EEE confirmed in five U.S. states: New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. All six cases of EEE were the more severe neuroinvasive form of the disease, per the CDC.
“We believe Joe was bitten by a mosquito in New Hampshire as he has not left the state in months. He’s very active and plays softball and works remotely at home, mostly outside,” Barker explains.
The EEE virus has been detected in mosquitoes and one horse in Kensington, New Hampshire, according to data from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
“Regardless of diagnosis, the treatment remains the same which is a wait and see game,” says Barker. There are no specific treatments or vaccines for West Nile virus, triple E or St. Louis encephalitis. Treatment for severe cases typically involves supportive care to manage symptoms and complications.
Casey’s family is hoping that his brain swelling subsides completely and he has a full recovery.
“It’s wonderful to see his progress each day but it is also grueling at times. My sister Kim is at the hospital everyday with him from 10am to 8pm with close family visiting throughout the day,” says Barker.
Casey and his wife, Kim, have been married for 23 years and share four children: Jake, Lily, Max and Ben. “Joe’s family is everything to him,” says Barker.
As Casey recovers, his family wants to remind people about the dangers of mosquito-borne viruses and the importance of preventing insect bites.
“This debilitating illness was caused by a mosquito and can happen to anyone, at any time you just never know,” says Barker.
“We want to raise awareness for people to pause and be cautious when outside and to wear long sleeves, pants, bug nets on strollers and use bug spray or other precautions to stay safe and healthy.”
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