Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus

• A rare mosquito-borne virus Eastern equine encephalitis, has been reported in the US states of Alabama and New York.
• Eastern equine encephalitis is rare in the US and only few cases are reported every year, 30 % of which could turn fatal and may have severe symptoms.

ABOUT EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS

• The virus was first discovered in horses (equines) in the 1830s.
• It is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes.
• It can also infect a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
• The mosquito species that cause EEE primarily bite at dawn and dusk
• Symptoms
  • Starting from high fever, headache, chills and nausea, it can progress to seizures, disorientation, and coma. The survivors may face neurological issues.
• It does not spread from person to person via touching or droplets from coughing or sneezing.
• People in the age group of above 50 and under 15 are said to be more at risk.
• As many as a third of people with the disease die and dea th usually occurs from 2 to 10 days after symptom onset.
• Even after recovery, people may face long-term physical or mental impairments ranging from mild brain dysfunction to severe intellectual impairment, personality disorders, seizures, paralysis, and cranial nerve dysfunction.
• There are no vaccines available to treat the disease. Rest, fluids and over-the-counter pain medications are used to relieve symptoms.