Michigan grandfather dies nine days after contracting mosquito-borne EEE virus

Nine days before his death from the mosquito-borne Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus in August, Gregg McChesney, 64, was strong and healthy, helping his brother build docks.

In just a little over a week, the grandfather and artist from Kalamazoo was brain dead.

He was one have three people who have died of EEE this year in Michigan, where a total of seven cases have been reported.

The virus, which causes life-threatening brain-swelling and kills 30 percent of those that contract it, has been unusually active in the Eastern US this year.

Gregg's family, is still reeling from the loss, but they are urging others to take every precaution - including avoiding swampy areas and wearing DEET repellent - to protect themselves from the rapid, catastrophic disease.

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