Pennsylvania State Officials Report Positive Mosquito Test for Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Equestrian News Release
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture, Health and Environmental Protection today reported the first positive mosquito sample for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The mosquito pool was found in Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County.
EEE is a rare but serious disease that causes an inflammation of the brain tissue. In most cases, infections with EEE do not cause any symptoms. When symptoms do occur in humans, they generally appear 5 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms include high fever, fatigue, muscle ache, stiff necks and tremors or confusion. In severe cases, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) occurs, which may lead to convulsions, coma and death.
"Historically, this disease has not had a significant human presence in Pennsylvania, and the chances of anyone contracting it remain very low," said state Health Arbovirus Coordinator Marjorie Ebenezer, MD, MPH. "By taking the prudent precautions of wearing insect repellant; proper clothing - long sleeves and pants when possible; avoiding wetland and marsh areas - especially at dawn and dusk; and removing standing water on your property where mosquitoes can breed, you can further reduce your chances of contracting this, or other, mosquito-borne diseases."
While not prevalent in Pennsylvania, EEE has been identified in neighboring states and fatalities have occurred this year in horses and humans in other states.
In the last 30 years there have been two reported human cases of EEE in Pennsylvania.
Because it is a mosquito-borne disease, the highest risk of infection to humans is during the mid-summer to early fall, and often near swampy or wetland areas. The virus that causes EEE is spread only by the bite of a mosquito. People and horses with EEE do not spread the disease.
Monroe County Vector Control, DEP's Northeast Region and Central Office staff have increased the surveillance activity in the area of the positive EEE collection. If the increased surveillance identifies sufficient adult mosquito species capable of transmitting the disease to people, county and DEP personnel are prepared to conduct adult mosquito control in those areas where human populations are at risk for EEE transmission. Larval control of all mosquito production sites continuously occurs in the county.
The same precautions used for West Nile virus should be used for EEE. Use effective repellants on your clothing and on exposed skin, wear long sleeves and long pants, and be sure you have window screens that keep insects out. Avoid providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes - remove containers, old tires, birdbaths, any objects from your property where water can collect and mosquitoes can lay eggs. For standing water that can't be eliminated, homeowners can buy Bti products at lawn and garden, outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. This naturally occurring bacteria kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.
EEE can also cause illness and death in horses. Symptoms in horses include appetite loss, drooping eyelids and lower lip, aimless wandering and circling, blindness, and inability to stand. The infection in horses is fatal in more than 90 percent of the cases, and death usually occurs in two to three days.
The state agriculture department recommends that horse owners consult their veterinarians about vaccinating their animals.
EEE can also affect ratites (ostriches, rheas and emus). For more information on prevention options for ratite owners, contact your veterinarian.
For more information about Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus go to http://www.westnile.state.pa.us/.
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