Both humans and animals are at a heightened risk from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), an uncommon but dangerous viral disease making its presence felt in New England. In our most comprehensive blog post, we will be discussing the science behind EEE and counter-intuitively why it works, trends that are alarming for 2019–20 season (and beyond), as well what you can do to protect and save your community.
The Killer Mosquito Virus
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a viral disease, and the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) is capable of causing it. WHAT HAPPENS? The majority of EEEV is transmitted between birds and mosquitoes, with Culiseta melanura thought to be the main enzootic vector along with several different Aedes species.
Such viruses can also spill over to infect other animals, including horses and even people, via mosquito bites(Block et al. Another is that humans and horses are “dead-end” hosts, producing are typically not high levels of the virus in their bloodstreams so they do not infect more mosquitoes (thus interrupting the transmission cycle).
EEE is especially worrisome because it has a high mortality rate and leaves many survivors with long-term neurological deficits. EEE is indeed regarded as one of the deadliest mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, causing a mortality rate that can be as high as 30% in human cases. The disease — typically seen in late summer and early fall when there’s generally more mosquito activity — is seasonal.
Connecticut—Some Disturbing Indicators
The State of Connecticut has not been immune to the EEE threat. Outbreaks in humans and animals in the state have occurred sporadically, especially in regions with wetlands that are perfect mosquito breeding sites for disease-carrying virus.
In addition, according to the release, state agencies such as the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) conduct routine mosquito populations and EEE virus detection tests. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) at the University of Connecticut, also ensures accurate and timely animal EEE case identification in the state.
Unfortunately, the threat of EEE continues to plague both human and animal populations with two horses and five birds in 2023 being diagnosed by the CVMDL. Such early detection is of paramount interest to monitor the spatial spread of the virus and to warn public health authorities about potential risks for human health.
Changes in mosquito population variability, including their emergence earlier during the spring and summer months as well as increases in overall populations, have led to increased alarm over EEE presence throughout Southeastern New England. This highlights the importance of a canard approach to solving this public health problem.
Conclusion
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a severe and, at times, fatal disease that necessitates awareness with all developing measures for population-wide protection of humans as well animals. Through attention to the ecology of this virus, habitat reduction and prompt recognition followed by treatment when symptoms occur we can help reduce morbidity and mortality from this potentially very deadly disease in our communities. There is an invisible threat on the rise and we need to guard our family from Eastern Equine Encephalitis now!
