SC person dies from unusual mosquito virus, first case in 20 years

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The headline of the story has been updated to reflect a correction in the location of the victim.)

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that one person has died from a rare mosquito virus for the first time in over 20 years.

DPH said this is the first case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus reported in South Carolina since 2020, and the first death from the virus in the state since 2003. The EEE virus is spread to people through mosquito bites, however cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Infection can lead to fevers and neurological symptoms due to inflammation to the (encephalitis) or lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

“Sadly, a person from Beaufort County has died from an infection of eastern equine encephalitis virus,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim DPH director. “While cases of the virus in people are extremely rare, the effects can be very serious to those who are infected.”

The Department of Public Health said the best way to reduce infection is by preventing mosquito bites. The American Mosquito Control Association recommends wearing long sleeves, long pants and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors and properly applying repellantss.