Mosquito bite sends North Carolina boy, 6, to ICU

Noah Surrett’s mother wants to raise awareness for a virus that spreads through mosquitoes. (LoriAnne Surrett)

A North Carolina mother is warning others about a little-known mosquito-borne virus that almost killed her young son.

LoriAnne Surrett of Asheville, North Carolina, said her 6-year-old son Noah and his brothers were at their grandparents’ house when he complained of a headache, FOX Carolina reported. Noah was given some pain medication and he appeared better until Surrett received a phone call from her in-laws that the boy was not quite right. The grandparents called 911 and Surrett rushed to the house to see her son.

The mother wrote in an Aug. 8 Facebook post that her son was limp and had blue lips. Officials said the boy suffered a seizure. Noah underwent blood tests, a CT scan, a chest X-ray and a spinal tap, which revealed that he was suffering from La Crosse encephalitis.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the rare virus “is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.”

“Many people infected with LACV (La Crosse encephalitis) have no apparent symptoms. Among people who become ill, initial symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. Some of those who become ill develop severe neuroinvasive disease (disease that affects the nervous system). Severe LACV disease often involves encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain) and can include seizures, coma, and paralysis,” the CDC said.

Noah Surrett was taken to the ICU after he became ill following a mosquito bite. (LoriAnne Surrett)

The mother said her son was treated at the ICU at Mission Hospital in Asheville, where he was responsive just a few times a day.

"Noah is a spunky little dude that sickness never brings him down," Surrett wrote in a Facebook post. "So this is breaking all of our hearts."

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Surrett said her son started responding to her on Thursday, and was opening his eyes. She warned others to wear bug spray to avoid the virus.

"I don't want to see another baby go through this," she said. "Use bug spray on your kids, check for bites. It's not 100 percent preventable obviously, but do what you can to try."

Noah Surrett's mother said her son has been responsive since being rushed to the hospital. (LoriAnne Surrett)

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said people can avoid contracting the virus by wearing long sleeves, bug spray and spend less time outside when mosquitoes are active.