Bay State boy, 9, dies from mosquito virus

BOSTON – A 9-year-old boy from Middleborough died Thursday from eastern equine encephalitis, the first fatality from the mosquito-borne virus in the state this year.

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 pupil 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 on 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.

A previously scheduled prayer service was still planned for Thursday night at Sacred Heart Church in Middleborough.

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.