Mosquito-Borne Virus Kills Boston Boy

9-Year-Old Is Disease's First Fatality This Year In Massachusetts

(AP)  A 9-year-old boy from Middleborough, Mass., 35 miles south of Boston, died Thursday from eastern equine encephalitis.

The death is the first so far this year in Massachusetts from the mosquito-borne virus.

John Fontaine developed a fever Aug. 18 and was hospitalized two days later. He died Thursday afternoon, said Christine Powers-Perry, a spokeswoman for Children's Hospital in Boston.

The grade school student played youth football and was "like every other 9-year-old. Happy to be there. A joy to be around. Fun to watch grow," said Jim Muirhead, the program director for Mitchell Memorial Club Youth Football and Cheerleading program.

Middleborough was among the communities in southeastern Massachusetts that have undergone two rounds of aerial spraying to kill the mosquitoes that carry the virus. The first round of spraying Aug. 8 reduced the mosquito population by at least 60 percent, officials said.

The boy could have contracted the virus as early as Aug. 8, but probably got the virus the following week, according to state health officials.

Two other people - a 52-year-old woman from Lakeville and a 23-year-old man from Acushnet - have contracted the virus this year.

Four people have died in the state from the virus in the last four years. There were four human cases last year, all in Plymouth County.

The virus is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to inflammation of the brain and coma. According to state health officials, about three of every 10 human cases is fatal.

[lyndmorrison]

My heart goes out to the family of this little babe. I did not know that others had contracted this horrible disease. The first I have heard of this was this particular article.It saddens me that such a young life was taken. God Bless his family !!!

[madinusa]

I am saddened to hear of this little boy's death ..over something as simple as a mosquito bite. How horrible and scary. Maybe spraying could be done earlier by a week or two and prevent the mosquitos from even hatching. My sincerest sympathy to his family and friends and God Bless his little soul.

[wandg21stcen]

This is the real, fatal vampire bite. Mosquitoes have me on the run to the hills, especially after leaving under siege from the huge, almost year-round ones in New Orleans, so to avoid malaria, encephalitis, etc., we add minced garlic or the powder to our food several times a week to keep them away!

[flytier2]

So sad. I feel for the boy and his family. This tragedy is on the hands of the environmentalists who forced the ban of DDT in this country and around the world. Each year Malaria alone (not to mention the dozens of other mosquito borne viruses) kill OVER 1 million people around the world. This is apalling and preventable. DDT had virtually eliminated this recurring tragedy until it was removed from the market due to environmentalists lobbying. God bless this little boy and may our political leaders have the wisdom and backbone to revist the shortshighted ban on a drug that could eliminate millions of deaths each year.

[flytier2]

Oops re: my previous post I meant to say "chemical", rather than "drug" when referring to DDT.

I don't know about bringing back DDT, but I know that some areas of Massachusetts are still not allowed to be sprayed because they are "environmentally sensitive":

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/08-06/08-24-06/01local.htm

Nine-year-old boys are more important than swamps - you would think that was self-evident.

[bruinau]

Ms. Rachel Carlson is responsible for this boy's death, just as she is responsible for over two million deaths every year from malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, west nile desease and all other mosquito born deseases. Ms. Carlson was dying of cancer and blamed chemicals like DDT for causing her cancer. She was totally wrong but her book Silent Spring resulted in a world wide ban on the only effective defense against mosquitoes. Most of these annual deaths are in third world countries that had to ban DDT or have their trade with Europe and the US barred.

IF we want to stop these unnecessary deaths we have to resume the use of DDT, even if some bird species have thinner egg shells. To continue to forbid third world counties to use DDT is genocide. To continue to forbid its use here is to allow people in the US to die of these deseases as well.

[zensamurai-2009]

I am not sure if widespread spraying is a safe or needed solution. Research other than "Silent Spring" echos that sentiment.
Reproductive Effects of Occupational DDT Exposure Among Male Malaria Control, Filix Salazar-Garcma; et all. We found an increased risk of birth defects associated with high occupational exposure to DDT in this group of workers.
Serum concentrations of DDT and DDE and risk of primary liver cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006; 98(14):1005-10 (ISSN: 1460-2105)
RESULTS: In multivariable-adjusted models, the risk of developing liver cancer increased with increased serum DDT concentration. In contrast, there was no statistically significant association between liver cancer and serum DDE concentration.
I worry about my children's health and their exposure to toxic chemicals and hence I choose to decrease exposure to environmental toxins whenever I can, by purchasing orgainc foods and through participation in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). I also choose Naturopathic healthcare from a licensed ND. When my children are ill, we support their body's own innate healing process using nutrition, herbs, and homeopathy. We steer clear of the shoot first and aim later approach practiced by most of mainstream medicine. To paraphrase Andrew Lange ND, from his book "Getting at the Root" (2002). It is not a matter of doing battle in the body to defeat an illness or infection, rather a diplomatic mission of peace to support the healing of which we are all capable.

[tlb1214]

The little boy who just passed away, his name was Johnny Fontaine and he was a healthy, active typical 9 year old boy who loved football, collecting baseball cards and swimming in his backyard swimming pool. Johnny was my dear friends child and the family would like to let everyone know how extremely grateful for all the support and kindness they have received in the past 12 days. They would also like to thank all the wonderful and kind-hearted nurses from Boston's Children's Hospital who cared for Johnny and help the family through his sickness. We have to keep EEE awareness going and get the message out to protect ourselves and our little ones with bugspray with deet. Also let your local congressmen and town selectmen know of your concerns with sports activities being played after the prime biting time (5:30 to 8:00p.m.)and lets start lobbying for earlier spraying next year.

A memorial fund has been established in support of EEE research and to help the family with medical expenses

please donate to:

The Johnny Fontaine Memorial Fund
Citizens Bank
any branch locations or mail to
435 West Grove St
Middleborough, Ma.02346