Eastern equine encephalitis

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Context: A rare mosquito-borne illness eastern equine encephalitis reported in Alabama and New York.

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)

• It is a viral disease.
• Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.
• Only a few cases are reported in the United States each year.
• Most cases occur in eastern or Gulf Coast states.

Cause of concern for EEE

• Although rare, EEE is very serious.
• Approximately 30% of people with EEE die and many survivors have ongoing neurologic problems.
• There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat EEE.
• We can only reduce the risk of infection with the EEE virus by using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and taking steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

Symptoms

• Most people infected with the eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus do not develop symptoms.
• EEE can result in febrile illness (fever) or neurologic disease, including meningitis (infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) or encephalitis (infection of the brain).
• Febrile illness is characterized by fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain. There is no central nervous system involvement.
• Signs and symptoms of neurologic disease include all the above symptoms. However neurologic disease and encephalitis may occur after several days of systemic illness.

Treatment

• There are no medications to prevent or treat EEE virus infections.
• Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, such as the EEE virus.
• Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain medications may relieve some symptoms.
• For severe diseases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment.

Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Chikungunya

• Chikungunya virus is primarily found in Africa and Asia.
• It was found in 2013 for the first time in the Western Hemisphere.
• It is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and Aedes albopictus mosquito.
• Chikungunya is not transmitted from one person to another. The virus needs a vector—a means of transportation: mosquitoes.

Dengue

• Dengue fever is primarily a tropical disease.
• The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Malaria

• Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite.
• It is found in many countries, including sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, as well as Central and South America.
• The vector is the anopheline mosquito and the disease-causing organism is the malaria parasite.

Yellow Fever

• Yellow fever virus is a rare tropical illness.
• Yellow fever is caused by an arbovirus (a virus transmitted by vectors such as Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, ticks or other arthropods).

Zika Virus

• Most people who become infected with the Zika virus have mild symptoms or no illness at all.
• The virus has been linked to serious health conditions, including Zika congenital syndrome in babies.
• Transmission by aegypti and Ae. albopictus.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/rare-mosquito-borne-illness-eastern-equine-encephalitis-reported-in-alabama-and-new-york-causes-one-death-101692769324329.html