It’s no secret that mosquitos can carry a variety of viruses and diseases: Zika virus, malaria, Chikungunya, and even the West Nile virus. However, Pennsylvania authorities recently detected another mosquito-borne illness called Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Mercer County. According to WFMJ, the virus, which can affect both horses and humans, has at least one non-human case in Mercer County.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
So what is Eastern Equine Encephalitis? This rare infection is usually transmitted by mosquitos to birds and horses. The infection is extremely rare in humans, but can be fatal. In fact, an estimated 33% of all humans who contract Eastern Equine Encephalitis will die. This is significantly lesser than horses who contract the condition, as an estimated 90% of those will die. This rare condition causes brain infections and is most common in Eastern or Gulf states. While there is no cure, and treatment is symptomatic, the best way to avoid Eastern Equine Encephalitis infection is to avoid or prevent mosquito bites to the best of your abilities.
Symptoms usually appear within 4-10 days following the mosquito bite. For those who recover, symptoms typically last for around 1-2 weeks. These symptoms include:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and chills
- Muscle and joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Behavioral changes
- Seizures
- Coma
- Meningitis or encephalitis (complications)
Mercer County
On September 5, 2021, a horse near Jamestown, PA tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Because of this, extra caution is needed within this area. For more information on the towns located in Mercer County, PA, take a look at this Pennsylvania Hometown Locator.
Although there are vaccines to prevent EEE infection in horses, no such vaccine exists yet for humans. As a result, authorities explain that the best way to avoid infection is to avoid mosquito bites. In areas in which EEE has been detected, humans should:
- Use insect repellent when outside.
- Clean areas which could be used as mosquito breeding areas.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts or long pants to reduce the risk of being bitten.
- Maintain vaccinations and booster shots for your animals (if you own a horse).
