Indiana State Health Department is advocating for mosquito prevention after a rare human case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE Virus) was confirmed by the CDC in Elkhart County. The patient passed away as a result of the infection.
Though it is dangerous, it is important to remember it is very uncommon for the virus to develop in people. This is the first human case in Indiana since 1998 and only the fourth reported in the state since 1964.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that approximately 5 to 10 human cases of EEE are reported nationwide each year, typically from late spring through early fall. Nearly one-third of human cases are fatal.
It is generally spread to birds and equine has been found in more than a dozen horses and one mosquito sample in northern Indiana this year. It can only be spread by mosquitoes, not the animals affected by it.
People who are younger than 15 years and older than 50 years are at the greatest risk of severe disease if infected with EEE virus.
A majority of people who are infected with the EEE don’t develop symptoms or will experience flu-like symptoms such as chills, fever, vomiting, body aches and joint pain.
Occasionally, people develop a more severe form of the disease that affects the nervous system and causes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The CDC says that only occurs to about 5-6 percent of people infected with the disease.
People who think they may have EEE virus disease should seek medical care. Healthcare professionals can provide supportive care in the form of IV fluids, breathing supports, and prevention of other infections.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box commented that this is a tragic loss for an Indiana family. He stated that it’s hard to imagine losing a loved one because of a mosquito bite, but unfortunately, mosquitoes sometimes carry diseases that can be life-threatening.
While mosquito activity decreases with cooler temperatures, the risk of mosquito-borne diseases will not be eliminated until the first hard freeze occurs.
State health officials urge Hoosiers to continue to take steps to prevent mosquito bites until then:
- Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (especially late afternoon, dusk to dawn and early morning
- Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on clothes and exposed skin. (Registered repellents most often contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol.)
- Cover exposed skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves, and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active, such as wooded areas
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home
Hoosiers also are encouraged to eliminate mosquito breeding sites by doing the following:
- Discard old tires, tin/aluminum cans, ceramic pots, or other containers that can hold water
- Repair failed septic systems
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors
- Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed
- Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains
- Frequently replace the water in pet bowls
- Flush ornamental fountains and birdbaths periodically
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with predatory fish
