Tragic Death of Seven-Year-Old Alabama Girl from Mosquito-Borne Virus
A seven-year-old girl in Alabama has sadly passed away after contracting a rare virus from a mosquito bite. The young girl, whose identity has not been disclosed, was infected with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a virus that causes life-threatening brain swelling and has a fatality rate of up to one in three of those it infects.
This marks the first reported death linked to EEE in Alabama this year. However, a second case was also detected in Spanish Fort, another city in Alabama on the Gulf Coast. Additionally, the virus has been found in horses in New York, although no human cases have been reported there.
The cases of EEE come in the midst of a wave of mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. Locally-transmitted malaria has been diagnosed in Florida and Texas this year, and two people in Michigan tested positive for the rare mosquito-carried Jamestown Canyon virus.
The Alabama Department of Public Health announced the tragic fatality of the young girl, noting that the infection occurred over the past few weeks. The second EEE patient from Spanish Fort was also infected around the same time.
EEE is an uncommon disease, with only about 11 cases reported annually in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mosquitoes acquire the virus when they bite infected birds, which serve as carriers without showing symptoms. They then transmit the virus to humans when they bite them.
Symptoms of EEE typically appear four to ten days after infection, including sudden onset headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. In severe cases, patients may experience disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and even slip into a coma. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines or cures for the disease, and doctors can only manage symptoms and provide supportive care.
The CDC reports that approximately 30 percent of patients with EEE die from the disease, while the fatality rate rises as high as 95 percent in horses. People under 15 years old and over 50 years old are particularly vulnerable to the severe effects of the virus.
In response to the cases in Spanish Fort, authorities have initiated insecticide spraying in an effort to kill mosquitoes that may be carrying the virus. However, there are challenges as the city is uncertain about the specific species of mosquito responsible for the infection. To determine this, traps have been set up to catch mosquitoes for testing purposes.
Mayor Mike McMillan of Spanish Fort stated that the city is doing everything possible to address the issue, including weekly mosquito spraying. However, excessive spraying is not recommended as it may lead to insects developing resistance. The city remains committed to identifying the mosquito species responsible for the spread of the virus.
Spanish Fort is located adjacent to a swamp, known as the Delta, which is home to various mosquito species. Authorities are determined to find a solution while awaiting the results of mosquito testing.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of mosquito prevention measures, such as wearing protective clothing, using insect repellents, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed. It is crucial for communities to work together to minimize exposure and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.