Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), also known as "triple E," is a rare but severe mosquito-borne illness that has recently caused concern due to its re-emergence and spread in various parts of the United States. This includes a recent fatal case in New Hampshire, marking the state's first human case in a decade.
Understanding Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a serious and often fatal disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While it is considered rare, EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, primarily affecting the eastern and Gulf Coast states. The virus causes inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), leading to severe neurological complications.
Recent Cases and Spread
The concern around EEE has heightened with reports of recent human and animal cases. For instance, a 41-year-old man in New Hampshire died after contracting the virus, which was the state's first human case of EEE in ten years. This incident underscores the ongoing threat of EEE, particularly as the virus is noted to be spreading in the US with rising temperatures, creating more favorable conditions for mosquito populations.
How EEE is Transmitted
EEE virus is primarily maintained in a cycle between Culiseta melanura mosquitoes and birds in freshwater hardwood swamps. Humans and horses are considered "dead-end hosts," meaning they can be infected but do not develop high enough levels of the virus in their blood to infect mosquitoes. Other mosquito species can transmit the virus from infected birds to humans or horses.
Symptoms and Severity
Symptoms of EEE typically appear 4 to 10 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. The illness can range from mild to severe, but when it progresses to encephalitis, it can be life-threatening.
Common initial symptoms include:
- Sudden onset of fever
- Chills
- Body aches
- Joint pain
In severe cases, EEE can lead to:
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Coma
- Brain damage
Approximately one-third of people who develop EEE die, and many who survive suffer from permanent neurological damage.
Prevention Strategies
Since there is no specific treatment for EEE, prevention is crucial. Protecting yourself from mosquito bites is the most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting the disease.
Consider the following preventative measures:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents: Apply repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.
- Wear protective clothing: When outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Stay indoors during peak mosquito hours: Mosquitos are most active during dusk and dawn.
- Eliminate standing water: Empty water from containers such as flower pots, buckets, bird baths, and clogged gutters. Mosquitos lay eggs in standing water.
- Repair window and door screens: Ensure screens are intact to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Use mosquito netting: If sleeping outdoors or in unscreened areas, use mosquito netting.
Key Facts About EEE
Here's a quick overview of Eastern Equine Encephalitis:
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) |
| Common Name | EEE, "Triple E" |
| Transmission | Via bite of infected mosquitoes (primarily Culiseta melanura and others) |
| Primary Hosts | Birds (mosquitoes transmit from birds to humans/horses) |
| Symptoms | Fever, chills, body aches; severe cases lead to encephalitis, seizures, coma |
| Fatality Rate | Approximately 30% of clinical cases are fatal |
| Recent Concern | Spreading in the US, recent fatal human case in New Hampshire |
