EEE

EEE or Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a rare but serious and often fatal infection that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infected with EEE virus (EEEV). EEE is found in freshwater hardwood swamps in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states and the Great Lakes region.

Etymology

The term "Eastern Equine Encephalitis" is derived from the region where the disease was first identified (Eastern United States), the primary host (Equine or horses), and the primary symptom (Encephalitis or inflammation of the brain).

Symptoms

EEEV infection can result in one of two types of illness, systemic or encephalitic (involving swelling of the brain, referred to as EEE). Some people who contract EEEV have no apparent symptoms. Systemic infection has an abrupt onset and is characterized by chills, fever, malaise, arthralgia, and myalgia. The illness lasts 1 to 2 weeks, and recovery is complete when there is no central nervous system involvement.

Transmission

EEEV is maintained in a cycle between Culiseta melanura mosquitoes and birds in freshwater hardwood swamps. Cs. melanura is not considered an important vector of EEEV to humans because it feeds almost exclusively on birds. Transmission to humans requires mosquito species capable of creating a "bridge" between infected birds and uninfected mammals such as some Aedes, Coquillettidia, and Culex species.

Prevention

Prevention of EEE relies on public health measures to control the mosquito population and personal measures to avoid mosquito bites such as use of insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and staying indoors while mosquitoes are most active.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for EEE. Care is based on symptoms. Patients with severe cases often need to be hospitalized, receive respiratory support, intravenous fluids, and prevention of other infections.

See also

• West Nile virus
• Zika virus
• Dengue fever

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