Health officials in Alabama and New York are urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites due to the presence of the Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. The virus, which spreads through the bite of infected mosquitoes, has already resulted in two cases and one fatality in Alabama.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, the cases were reported in Baldwin County in the past few weeks. In New York, the virus has been found in horses in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, as well as in mosquitoes in Onondaga County, according to the State Department of Health.
Although only a few cases of EEE are reported each year in the US, primarily in Eastern or Gulf Coast states, it can cause severe illness and even death. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that approximately 30% of people with EEE die, and many survivors experience ongoing neurological problems.
There are currently no vaccines or specific medications to treat EEE. The virus is particularly dangerous for people over 50 and younger than 15. The New York health department warns that severe cases of EEE may start with symptoms like headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting, and then progress to disorientation, seizures, encephalitis, and coma.
To prevent infection, the CDC recommends avoiding mosquito bites by using insect repellents with ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. When outdoors, it is advised to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Additionally, clothing may be treated with 0.5% permethrin to kill or repel mosquitoes. It is also crucial to eliminate standing water on your property, as this is where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
It is essential for residents in Alabama and New York to take these precautions seriously in order to reduce the risk of EEE infection.