There have been growing concerns among health experts about the recent surge in Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases in the Northeast, a rare mosquito-borne virus with severe health risks. Health officials have reported infections in New York, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Massachusetts, and one death in New Hampshire, prompting warnings and curfews in certain areas.
EEE has a fatality rate of roughly 30% in severe cases, which are marked by the onset of neurological symptoms. The disease can have long-term effects on victims, including paralysis, intellectual impairment, and personality disorders. The primary risk factor for contracting EEE is prolonged outdoor exposure in mosquito-heavy areas.
Most infected individuals show mild to no symptoms, however, a small percentage develop brain infections that can be deadly. With no current treatment or vaccines, doctors can only manage the symptoms caused by the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms often appear four to 10 days after a bite and can include fever, chills, body aches, and joint pain, as well as neurological disease. While around 95% of people who get the virus will be asymptomatic, experts are still urging people to take precautions. Dr. Stephen Rich, a microbiology professor and director of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, said, “[a]mong the 4 to 5 percent that get infected and get the disease, only about a third of those people will get the most severe and awful version of the disease, which is encephalitis.”
Public health officials are urging preventive measures such as using insect repellents, wearing long sleeves, and avoiding outdoor activities at dusk. Local authorities are spraying pesticides in high-risk areas, though precautions remain essential to minimizing exposure to the disease.
Experts also urge for better tracking and public reporting of EEE-related deaths to improve understanding and prevention. Stronger mosquito control programs and increased awareness are seen as key to reducing the spread of EEE and other mosquito-borne illnesses like the West Nile virus.
By Mushfiqur Rahman