Man Gets Rare Virus Borne by Mosquitoes

An elderly man was in critical condition with Eastern equine encephalitis, a rare viral disease carried by mosquitoes. It was the first human case of the disease this year in Massachusetts. State health officials said the 69-year-old man from Plainville was infected Wednesday, three weeks after the virus’ discovery in area mosquitoes led the Department of Public Health to warn the public. The disease, which can also infect horses, is an acute inflammation of the brain, with symptoms including high fever and confusion. Encephalitis kills about half the time. In the 40 years records have been kept, about 150 U.S. deaths have been noted.