Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

26 Oct 2024 12:56:04 pm

Tags : Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

Topic: Diseases

Why in the news?

Northeastern US is seeing an uptick in several cases of Triple E mosquito virus or the EEE virus.
The US has recorded the first death of this year due to this virus; a 41 year old from New Hampshire has died after contracting this viral infection.

Source: The Times of India

About Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE):

It is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection caused by the EEE virus.
It causes encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain.
It can infect a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Its transmission to mammals (including humans and horses) occurs through the bite of infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals.
Symptoms:
- Many people infected with this virus do not develop any symptoms.
- Symptoms typically appear 4-10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
- Severe cases of EEE infection begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting that may progress into disorientation, seizures, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and coma.
- About 30% of people ill from EEE die, and many who survive the infection are left with permanent neurologic damage.
Treatment:
- There are no vaccines to prevent EEE infection in people and no specific treatments for EEE disease.
- Treatment focuses on supportive therapy, including hospitalization, respiratory support, intravenous fluids, and prevention of other infections.