A mosquito virus kills people. Here's what you need to know.
The potentially fatal disease has been reported by 27 people and count.
Today is the last day of the summer, but do not yet store your spray bug. According to new reports, at least seven people died of Eastern equine encephalitis, a rare but potentially mortal virus by mosquitoes.
Deaths were reported in Connecticut and Massachusetts and EEA was reported by 27 people in six states.comprising 10 in Massachusetts and eight in Michigan. These figures are incredibly high, considering thatAn average of only seven Human Cases of EEA are reported each year.
Here's all you need to know about the last arbovirus sweeping the East.
What is Eee?
According toDisease control centers, EEE is a rare cause of brain infections (encephalitis) propagated to people by infected mosquitoes. The virus itself is often called EEVERV.
EEE is carried by birds. If a mosquito bites an infected bird, it can then transmit the virus to other animals or other humans. The first e refers to the region where most of the cases of EEA are transmitted, the United States of the East, more specifically in the States of the Atlantic or the Gulf Coast, by theDisease control centers. The "equine" in the second e obviously refers to horses, like Matthew Mintz, MD, FACP, explains to eating this, not that! The health they are more commonly infected with it. The third e, the encephalitis, means a brain infection.
Unlike Zika or influenza, which can be disseminated from one person to the person, EEE tends to stay in a specific geographical area where the infected mosquitoes are.
People over the age of 50 and under 15 seem to be at the greatest risk of developing severe disease when they are infected with EEEV. Cases occur mainly from the end of spring until early autumn, but in subtropical areas (such as Gulf States), they can occur in winter.
The mortality rate is 30%, however, many survivors are left in current neurological problems, including light brain injury to serious. "When the brain is infected, it can swell and cause all kinds of problems, including seizures and coma," says Dr. Mintz.
Why is it such a bad year for Eee?
Over the past two decades, EEE has become more prevalent in the North-East, according to Massachusetts, the Catherine Brown State epidemiologist. "Historically, Massachusetts by far the largest Eee activity. But Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine had only EEA over the last 15 years. It had never been identified there before," Brown A Declared in Boston NPR StationWbur. "It's easy to say that this could be a potential impact of climate change."
It explains that EEA epidemics are generally triggered by a combination of two things: a new strain of the virus being introduced in the Florida region and wetter than usual conditions over the past year. These two combined factors could be responsible for rising cases reported this year.
"Have a new strain of the Florida virus tends to launch a new cycle [EEA]. I can not prove it again, but I anticipate that we will discover this is a newly introduced viral strain," she says. "And there was a lot of rainfall and this spring. This means that you will have larger mosquito populations."
"Most of the cases occur in July to September," Tom Skinner of the CDC says to eat this, not that! Health. "The virus circulates between mosquitoes and birds in fresco hardwood marshes. It can then be transmitted to humans and horses, who are out-end hosts. In the southeastern United States, Cycles involving several species of mosquitoes and birds PatauSers, as well as reptiles, as well as reptiles, as well as reptiles, could play a role in maintaining viral transmission during the winter months. "
What are the symptoms of the EEA?
Even if you are infected with EEEV, the chances of developing EEE are extremely rare. Humans infected by EEVERV,only about four to five percent will result in real infection.
According to the CDC, it takes four to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito to develop symptoms: "serious cases of EEEV infection (EEA, involving encephalitis, inflammation of the brain) begin with the sudden appearance of the Headache, high fever, chills and vomiting. Then he can progress in disorientation, convulsions and coma. "
If you or a family member showing symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately. They can perform blood fluid and spine tests to diagnose.
How is EEE treated treated?
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for that. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and no anti-viral drug has been found effective to treat it. Patients are generally hospitalized and treated with favorable therapy, including respiratory support, fluids IV and the prevention of other infections.
Tips on the prevention of EEEV
As with any other mosquito net virus, the best way to protect yourself is to prevent mosquito bites in the first place. The CDC offers the following tips:
- Use an insect repellent containing due, picaridine, IR3535 or eucalyptus lemon oil on the skin and / or exposed clothing. Anti-insecticide / insecticide permethrin can be used on clothing to protect several washes. Always follow the instructions on the package.
- Wear long sleeves and pants when time permits.
- Have secure and intact screens on Windows and doors to get the mosquitoes out.
- Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by emptying the water standing flower pots, buckets, barrels, another container. The drill holes in the tire swings if water is wrapping. Keep wading rooms with empty kids and their sides when they are not used.
Living a happier and healthier life - Do not miss these essential elements40 health warnings that you should never ignore.