NewsDesk @bactiman63

New Hampshire state health officials have reported the first  Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) of the season in an adult from Dublin.

National Atlas of the United States

The person infected with JCV was hospitalized with worsening neurological symptoms and ultimately died; JCV infection was identified as a contributing cause to their death.

“Jamestown Canyon Virus and the other mosquito-borne infections can cause serious illness,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, NH State Epidemiologist. “As summer progresses into fall, the risk from mosquito-transmitted infections is expected to increase. So residents and visitors to New Hampshire should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, especially as people are encouraged to spend more time outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

JCV is a mosquito-borne pathogen that circulates widely in North America primarily between deer and mosquitoes but can also infect humans. In addition to JCV, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) and West Nile virus (WNV) can also be spread to people through mosquito bites.

People can be infected and not develop any symptoms, or only develop very mild symptoms for all three mosquito-borne diseases. Early symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. More serious central nervous system disease, including meningitis or encephalitis can occur with these diseases.

This is New Hampshire’s fifteenth case of JCV since the first report of the disease in the State in 2013.