Michigan is facing a concerning development as a rare and deadly mosquito-borne disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), has been detected within the state. Mosquitoes in Bay County tested positive for EEE, the identical virus that caused a deadly outbreak in Michigan back in 2019.
EEE is recognized as one of the crucial dangerous mosquito-borne diseases within the U.S., with a 33% fatality rate in humans. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and might result in brain swelling and infections. While fewer than 6% of people bitten by EEE-carrying mosquitoes develop the disease, those that do can experience swift and severe illness, Detroit Metro Times reported.
Symptoms of EEE include headache, fever, chills, body and joint aches, vomiting and tremors. In additional severe cases, individuals may experience disorientation, seizures, coma and even death, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The disease often causes inflammation of the brain, potentially leading to long-term brain damage for survivors. Horses, specifically, have a staggering fatality rate of 90% when infected with EEE.
State veterinarian Nora Wineland emphasized the importance of taking precautions, stating, “This detection shows the virus is present within the environment and highlights the necessity to take precautions.”
To guard animals from mosquitoes, Wineland advised placing livestock in a barn under fans during peak mosquito activity, eliminating standing water on one’s property, using approved insect repellent on animals and vaccinating horses against EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases under the guidance of a veterinarian.
A median of 11 human cases of EEE are reported annually within the U.S., with Michigan, Massachusetts, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina experiencing the very best variety of cases from 2012 to 2021. In Michigan specifically, there have been 22 human cases since 2003. Last 12 months, no human cases were reported, but three cases were detected in domestic horses. In 2020, there have been 4 human cases with two fatalities, and one human case was reported in 2021.
The 2019 outbreak in Michigan was particularly severe, with 10 human cases and 6 deaths. In consequence, health officials on the time advised the general public to cancel outdoor events after dusk to mitigate the chance of EEE transmission.
To stop EEE, it’s crucial to avoid mosquito bites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using mosquito repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants in wooded or swampy areas and eliminating standing water in bird baths, flower pots and every other containers that may hold water.
Published by Medicaldaily.com