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| Man in coma after mosquito bite | Man in coma after mosquito bite |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| A holidaymaker has been left in a coma after becoming the first suspected European victim of a deadly virus. | A holidaymaker has been left in a coma after becoming the first suspected European victim of a deadly virus. |
| Michael Nicholson, from Livingston, West Lothian, contracted the little known "Triple E" bug from a mosquito bite in the US, his family said. | Michael Nicholson, from Livingston, West Lothian, contracted the little known "Triple E" bug from a mosquito bite in the US, his family said. |
| It is thought the 35-year-old painter and decorator was bitten while fishing in New Hampshire this summer. | It is thought the 35-year-old painter and decorator was bitten while fishing in New Hampshire this summer. |
| Mr Nicholson's relatives said if he lives he is expected to be severely disabled for the rest of his life. | Mr Nicholson's relatives said if he lives he is expected to be severely disabled for the rest of his life. |
| He is being treated in Edinburgh's Western General Hospital. | He is being treated in Edinburgh's Western General Hospital. |
| The virus, known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis or Triple E, is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases on the North American continent. | The virus, known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis or Triple E, is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases on the North American continent. |
| It is found mainly in the eastern regions of the US and has a 35% mortality rate. | It is found mainly in the eastern regions of the US and has a 35% mortality rate. |
| 'No cure' | 'No cure' |
| Symptoms develop after three to 10 days, and include flu-like illness, inflammation of the brain, coma and death. | Symptoms develop after three to 10 days, and include flu-like illness, inflammation of the brain, coma and death. |
| Michael's sister Sharan McKenzie, also from Livingston, said she wanted to warn other holidaymakers travelling to New England about the dangers of the virus. | Michael's sister Sharan McKenzie, also from Livingston, said she wanted to warn other holidaymakers travelling to New England about the dangers of the virus. |
| British tourists heading to the area are given no official warnings about the potential risk, she said. | British tourists heading to the area are given no official warnings about the potential risk, she said. |
| Mrs McKenzie, 38, said: "There is no cure and there is no vaccine, so all you can do is try and prevent yourself being bitten. | Mrs McKenzie, 38, said: "There is no cure and there is no vaccine, so all you can do is try and prevent yourself being bitten. |
| "You don't think there is going to be a risk if you get bitten by a mosquito in somewhere like the US, or Spain. | "You don't think there is going to be a risk if you get bitten by a mosquito in somewhere like the US, or Spain. |
| Michael Nicholson was bitten while fishing in New Hampshire | |
| "So we had no idea this would be so devastating. | "So we had no idea this would be so devastating. |
| "The more people know about this the better." | "The more people know about this the better." |
| Mr Nicholson spent six weeks with family and friends in Rhode Island and New Hampshire this summer. | Mr Nicholson spent six weeks with family and friends in Rhode Island and New Hampshire this summer. |
| He fell ill on 31, August, a day after flying back to Scotland. | He fell ill on 31, August, a day after flying back to Scotland. |
| Within two days he had lost consciousness and was transferred to the intensive care unit at the Western General. | Within two days he had lost consciousness and was transferred to the intensive care unit at the Western General. |
| Mrs McKenzie said doctors diagnosed her brother with Triple E on 13 September telling the family his was the first case in Europe. | Mrs McKenzie said doctors diagnosed her brother with Triple E on 13 September telling the family his was the first case in Europe. |
| She said Michael is now in the hospital's neurological unit where he remains unconscious and unresponsive. | She said Michael is now in the hospital's neurological unit where he remains unconscious and unresponsive. |
| "He has opened his eyes, but is not aware of anything," Mrs McKenzie said. | "He has opened his eyes, but is not aware of anything," Mrs McKenzie said. |
| "Our family has been devastated by this. | "Our family has been devastated by this. |
| "We have been told he is likely to be severely disabled at best. | "We have been told he is likely to be severely disabled at best. |
| "It seems there is nothing we can do apart from warn people." | "It seems there is nothing we can do apart from warn people." |
| US health records reveal 220 confirmed cases of Triple E between 1964 and 2004, an average of five per year. | US health records reveal 220 confirmed cases of Triple E between 1964 and 2004, an average of five per year. |