At least one dead after mosquito-borne equine encephalitis virus tears through US – & health officials give grim warning
AN American has died from eastern equine encephalitis, a rare and deadly disease spread by mosquitoes.
The disease has been ripping through parts of the Northeast, placing 10 counties in Massachusetts on high alert before spreading and killing an unidentified person in New Hampshire.
This latest public health emergency was first reported when an 80-year-old man in Massachusetts tested positive after state officials discovered that the disease had been found in mosquitoes across the state.
The virus then started appearing in neighboring states, with cases popping up in Vermont and New Hampshire, where the unidentified person was pronounced dead.
The resident, who was only identified as an adult by the New Hampshire state health department, had been hospitalized with severe central nervous system problems caused by the virus.
The 80-year-old man in Massachusetts remains hospitalized and is “courageously battling” the virus, according to Oxford’s town manager Jennifer Callahan.
“We believe there is an elevated risk for EEEV infections this year in New England given the positive mosquito samples identified,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan.
“The risk will continue into the fall until there is a hard frost that kills the mosquitos,” he explained.
“Everybody should take steps to prevent mosquito bites when they are outdoors,” he urged the public.
Health officials have now set curfews in some areas, urging residents to finish any outdoor activities by 6 pm at the latest until Sept. 30, and then by 5 pm after – which is described as “peak biting times for many mosquitoes.”
It is also recommended that people across the state use mosquito repellents when outdoors and drain any standing water around their homes.
Massachusetts state health officials warned that a cluster of four towns – Oxford, Douglas, Sutton, and Webster – are all at critical risk.
On Friday, the town of Plymouth, about 40 miles outside of Boston, announced that the town would be closing public outdoor recreation facilities from dusk to dawn every day after a horse in town was infected.
Callahan is urging people to take the public health advice seriously to protect themselves.
“They want people to be aware this is an extremely serious disease with terrible physical and emotional consequences, regardless if the person manages to live,” Callahan said about the hospitalized man and his family’s wishes at this time.
Known as EEE or “triple E,” the virus got its name after first being spotted in horses.
There are only about 11 cases per year in the US, according to the CDC, and about a third of people who catch the virus die from the infection.
In 2019, an outbreak of the virus in Massachusetts caused six deaths among 12 confirmed cases.
The outbreak then continued into the following year with five more cases and another death – but the state has not had another case in humans until now.
The virus can cause flu-like symptoms and lead to severe neurological issues, including inflammation of the brain and the membranes around the spinal cord.
Survivors are oftentimes left suffering lifelong mental and physical disabilities, with few ever recovering at all.
There are currently no vaccines, medicines, or treatments available to help combat the deadly disease.
Everything you need to know about eastern equine encephalitis
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a virus spread to people from the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Although rare, EEE infections can be very serious.
Approximately 30% of people who catch the virus die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Those who survive may continue to suffer from ongoing neurologic problems, it added.
Initial symptoms tend to show up three to 10 days after a bite from an infected mosquito, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).
They include:
- Fever
- A stiff neck
- Headache
- Lack of energy
The virus can cause Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, a complication that can be dangerous.
“The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week,” the DPH noted.
According to the CDC and Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of a severe infection that causes brain inflammation may include:
- Confusion
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- High fever (higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius)
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Behavioral changes
- Seizures
The best way to protect yourself from the disease is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
Use insect repellents and wear long sleeves, long trousers and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.
Remove areas of standing water around your home.
You can also consider scheduling outdoor events to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Sources: CDC, DPH, Cleveland Clinic