What is Equine Encephalitis?
Equine encephalitis is a zoonosis transmitted by a virus of the genus alpha-virus. It can generate various problems between horses and humans. Causing from episodes of fever to death, based on inflammation of the brain. Eastern Equine Encephalitis Kills Three Americans.
This virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito, which has previously bitten infected birds or rodents.
However, it is not transmitted between the animals themselves or from the equine to the human being.
It is only through the bite of the mosquito, except in the case of Nile Virus.
The fact that the birds are carriers of it, they need the mosquito to transmit it later. This causes that it takes place in numerous points of the planet, due to the migratory flow of the birds.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)
Its name is due to the fact that its main area of infection is usually located in the extreme east of the United States. More specifically, in Florida.
The large accumulation of swamps, ponds and wetlands makes it a place of easy infection. The mosquito that transmits it is the Culex Melanura, as well as others such as the Culiseta or the Aedes. All very typical of marshes of hardwood and fresh water. Although it has also spread to other Caribbean countries, as well as Canada and other regions of South America.
Authorities in Rhode Island region continue preventive campaign with fumigation
On Monday, September 9, the death of a resident citizen of the state of Rhode Island, United States, was reported.
The authorities indicated that the death occurred as a result of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus. This adds up to the third death recorded in 2019 in this country because of the EEE.
This adds up to the third death recorded in 2019 in this country because of the EEE.
The unfortunate deceased was a 50-year-old man, who was diagnosed by doctors at the end of August.
This is the first recorded case in the state of Rhode Island since 2001. It is also the first recognized virus-related death since 2007.
In a press release, the Government of Rhode Island reported that the area where the victim resided, West Warwick, was in the presence of mosquitoes and horses that carried the deadly virus in humans.
In other parts of the state, eastern equine encephalitis was also detected by the health authorities. It initiated a fumigation process to kill the infected insects.
It was also announced that for this process the pesticide Anvil 10 + 10 was used in low concentrations.
There is no doubt that this is one of the diseases transmitted through the bite of the most frightening mosquitoes.
The majority of people who are infected by the virus, do not suffer from serious symptoms. Is a small percentage of citizens where the virus manages to reach the nervous system.
Unlikely but lethal Eastern Equine Encephalitis Kills Three Americans
So far very little is known about this disease.
To the extent that there are no treatments, vaccines, or other ways to treat, prevent, or fight it.
What is certain is that it is a deadly infection, with an efficacy of 33%.
Mosquitoes infected by the virus tend to live in remote areas, far from humans. This means that the rate of infection and serious cases is relatively low. An average of seven cases per year in the United States.
2019 is a negative year as other states in the northern country have registered cases of EEE.
Michigan was announced by health officials that an inhabitant of the entity died of Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
The state also has four confirmed cases of human infections.
In addition, Massachusetts has the regrettable report of the first person fatally infected in 2019. Since this death in late August, seven cases have been known to date.
It is possible that new cases of spread of the virus among humans will occur, since the authorities plan that the transmission season will last until September, so the inhabitants of swampy areas in the eastern and southern United States are still in danger of infection.
