Alabama Public Health Officials Warn Baldwin County Residents of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Outbreak
Alabama public health officials are urging residents of Baldwin County to take precautions following two reported infections of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), a mosquito-borne virus that can be fatal. One of the cases resulted in a fatality.
According to a news release issued on Monday, both cases occurred within the past few weeks. Although the exact locations were not disclosed by the Alabama Department of Public Health, the City of Spanish Fort confirmed on their Facebook page that the infections were reported within city limits.
In response to the outbreak, the city is working alongside the Baldwin County Health Department and the Alabama Department of Public Health to set up mosquito traps in various areas for testing purposes. Residents who come across a mosquito trap are advised to leave it untouched.
While infections of EEE in Baldwin County are rare, the statistics associated with the disease are alarming. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that approximately one-third of people who contract encephalitis due to EEE do not survive. Death can occur within two to 10 days after symptoms appear or even later.
For those who do recover, long-term physical or mental impairments can persist. These can range from brain dysfunction to severe intellectual impairment, personality disorders, seizures, paralysis, and cranial nerve dysfunction, as stated by the CDC.
EEE is a rare disease caused by a virus transmitted through infected mosquitoes. In the United States, an average of 11 human cases of EEE are reported each year. Shockingly, there was only one reported case in the country last year.
Unfortunately, there is currently no specific treatment for EEE, and antibiotics are ineffective against the virus.
CDC data reveals that Alabama has seen a total of eight cases of EEE in humans from 2003-2022, with four of those cases occurring in Baldwin County. Nationwide, there have been 189 reported cases of EEE in the past 19 years, resulting in 169 hospitalizations and 78 deaths.
Most cases of EEE have been documented in Atlantic and Gulf Coast states, primarily from late spring to early fall. However, rare cases can occur during winter in Gulf States.
To prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of EEE infection, ADPH is advising individuals to use insect repellents, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when possible, opt for loose-fitting and light-colored clothing, treat clothing with repellents, and use air conditioning or screens on windows and doors.
In Spanish Fort, workers have been strategically placing mosquito traps throughout the city and conducting testing. Results from these tests will be available soon, according to the city’s Facebook page.
Additionally, the city is urging individuals with stagnant or untreated water sources, such as unmaintained pools or small ponds, to consider draining them if it can be done without causing any structural damage. For pools or ponds that cannot be drained, residents are encouraged to contact the city to obtain larvicide tablets.
By taking these preventative measures, residents can minimize their risk of contracting EEE and protect themselves from the potentially devastating consequences associated with the virus.