What is eastern equine encephalitis?
Eastern equine encephalitis is a rare but serious disease caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus, a member of the family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus. Eastern equine encephalitis is found mainly along the eastern seaboard and Gulf coast of the United States. EEE is a mosquito borne infection of wild birds that can be transmitted to other birds, humans, horses and other animals by mosquitoes. In New Jersey, the principal bird vector for EEE is a freshwater swamp mosquito commonly found in the coastal plain of the southern half of the state. The salt marsh mosquito is the principal human vector of the virus in New Jersey, while more than one species of mosquito are known to transmit the virus to horses in the state. Who gets Eastern Equine Encephalitis? Anyone can get Eastern equine encephalitis, but the disease is more common in young children and in persons over the age of 55.
A. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a member of the family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, and is closely related to western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses. It occurs primarily in the eastern half of the US. Because of the high case fatality rate, EEE is regarded as one of the more serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. The primary EEE transmission cycle is between birds and mosquitoes. Several species of mosquitoes can become infected with EEE virus. The most important mosquito in maintaining the enzootic (animal-based, in this case bird-mosquito-bird) transmission cycle is Culiseta melanura.
A. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a member of the family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, and is closely related to western and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses. It occurs primarily in the eastern half of the US. Because of the high case fatality rate, EEE is regarded as one of the more serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. The primary EEE transmission cycle is between birds and mosquitoes. Several species of mosquitoes can become infected with EEE virus. The most important mosquito in maintaining the enzootic (animal-based, in this case bird-mosquito-bird) transmission cycle is Culiseta melanura.
• Eastern equine encephalitis: Is a mosquito born virus that occurs in the eastern united states and causes disease in humans, horses and some birds. • Eastern equine encephalitis: A form of arboviral encephalitis (primarily affecting equines) endemic to eastern regions of North America. The causative organism (ENCEPHALOMYELITIS VIRUS, EASTERN EQUINE) may be transmitted to humans via the bite of AEDES mosquitoes. Clinical manifestations include the acute onset of fever, HEADACHE, altered mentation, and SEIZURES followed by coma. The condition is fatal in up to 50% of cases. Recovery may be marked by residual neurologic deficits and EPILEPSY.
– Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus. The virus infects birds that live in freshwater swamps and is spread from bird to bird by infected mosquitoes. If a mosquito infected with the virus bites a horse or human, the animal or person can become sick. The risk of getting EEE is highest from late July through September. 2. What are the symptoms of EEE? – The first symptoms of EEE are high fever (103 to 106F), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, can develop. The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week. 3. What is the treatment for EEE? – There is no cure for EEE, and three of every ten people who get the disease die from it. All doctors can do is lower the fever and ease the pressure on the brain.
