Michigan grandfather, 79, has become state’s fourth fatality from EEE as death toll surges to 11

Stan Zalner, 79 (pictured), of Battle Creek, Michigan, died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis on Wednesday

A Michigan resident has died after reportedly contracting the rare mosquito-borne disease Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), bringing the nationwide death toll to 11.  

The victim is 79-year-old Stan Zalner of Battle Creek, who died on Wednesday, reported WMMT.

According to his family, he contracted the virus in early September, and was eventually hospitalized with flu-like symptoms.

Zalner fell into a coma and his family decided to take him off of life support after doctors told his family that he had suffered irreversible brain damage.   

Zalner’s daughter, Ronna Bagent, told WMMT that her father woke up one morning last month vomiting.

He was rushed to the hospital, where his health rapidly declined. He was soon in a coma and placed on a ventilator.

‘I can’t even comprehend that just one little bite from one little mosquito could be this devastating,’ Bagent said. 

Zalner’s family said he loved social gatherings and would cook dinner for his family every Sunday night.    

‘He’s just a really inspiring person,’ his grandson, Kevin Bagent, told the station. ‘He taught me a lot of stuff that no one else has taught me – how to be a hard worker and care about others. He’s a pretty amazing man.’

Zalner’s death marks the fourth in Michigan out of nine confirmed cases in six counties, according to a release from the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.  

There have additionally been three deaths in Connecticut, three in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island. 

Michigan is experiencing its worst outbreak in more than a decade while the outbreak in Massachusetts is the worst since 1956, reported USA TODAY.

Last month, Massachusetts US Senators Edward Markey and Elizabeth Warren requesting any research the National Institutes of Health has on EEE.

EEE is a rare disease caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.

It was first detected in Massachusetts in 1831 and typically affects about an equal number of horses and humans every year: roughly five to 10.

His family says he was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms in early September and soon fell into a coma and was on life support. Pictured: Zalner 

Zalner’s death is the state’s fourth this year and brings the nationwide death toll to 11. Three deaths have been reported in Connecticut, three in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island. Pictured: Zalner, left, and with his daughter, right

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There is a vaccine for horses who contract the virus, but not for humans.  

The majority of cases occur between late spring and early fall along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states 

Most people don’t develop symptoms, but those who do can experience chills, a fever, a headache and vomiting.

Occasionally, the disease can cause seizures or life-threatening brain swelling (encephalitis).

There is no cure and treatments consists of supportive therapy such as respiratory support and IV fluids.

About one-third of those with EEE die from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health officials recommend that residents protect themselves by wearing long sleeves and pants as well as bug spray when going outside.

They also suggest draining any standing water from places such as bird baths and buckets because mosquitoes are attracted to still water.

Michigan officials say there will be aerial spraying of pesticides throughout the southwest portion of the state. 

Please keep your families safe by applying insect repellent and allowing the sprays in your county,’ Bagent warned, according to WMMT. 

‘Don’t opt out; the risk now is far greater of contracting the virus.’