New Hampshire man fights for life after EEE, West Nile infections

Joe Casey was hospitalized Aug. 8
He initially felt sick and now has swelling on the brain
Casey has been rendered almost unable to communicate

Updated: Sep 3, 2024 / 09:23 AM CDT

Mosquitoes are seen under a microscope in a lab at Sahmyook University in Seoul, South Korea. Despite its advanced healthcare service and decades of determined efforts, achieving “malaria-free” status remains elusive for South Korea, largely thanks to its proximity to the isolated North, where the disease is prevalent. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) / To go with AFP story NKorea-SKorea-health-climate, FOCUS by Claire LEE (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

(NewsNation) — A 54-year-old New Hampshire man has been rendered mostly unable to communicate after contracting eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis.

Boston’s WBZ-TV spoke to the sister-in-law of Joe Casey, of Kensington, about his debilitating symptoms from a mosquito bite.

“My brother-in-law is not a small man, and to see someone that you love be as sick as he is and not be able to talk, to move, to communicate for over three weeks is terrifying and gut-wrenching,” Angela Barker said.

Casey was hospitalized Aug. 8, according to Barker, and his symptoms began with sickness and rapidly grew worse, now including swelling in his brain.

“The CDC, the infectious disease doctors, they don’t know which one is making him this sick,” she added.

EEE is an incredibly rare, fatal disease. Last month, an elderly Massachusetts man contracted the mosquito-borne illness.

Casey has a wife, Kim, and shares four children with her. A GoFundMe has been created to support Casey and his family as they progress through this trying time.

At the time of writing, more than $26,000 has been raised to support the Casey family. A goal of $50,000 has been set.