Health officials confirm fatality from rare mosquito virus

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island health officials say a resident has died from eastern equine encephalitis, the state’s first fatal human case of the mosquito-borne virus since 2007.

The health department said Monday the West Warwick, Rhode Island resident was over 50 and died Sunday.

There have been no other human cases detected in Rhode Island, though the disease has been found in mosquitoes in Central Falls and Westerly and in a horse in Westerly.

The health department says a second night of anti-mosquito spraying is scheduled for Monday in two areas of the state.

The state dispersed aerial mosquito treatments Sunday and early Monday in all of West Warwick, Central Falls, Pawtucket and North Providence, and sections of 10 other municipalities.

Spraying is occurring within four miles of positive samples and cases.