An individual in Hampstead, New Hampshire, has died after contracting the uncommon mosquito-borne Japanese Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus, well being officers reported on Tuesday, mentioned an AP report. The affected person, an grownup, was hospitalised with extreme central nervous system illness and later died, in line with the New Hampshire Division of Well being and Human Companies (DHHS).
The current dying has raised new considerations concerning the rising danger of EEE in New England, which is believed to be worsened by local weather change.
Historical past of EEE
The final recorded human case of EEE in New Hampshire was in 2014, when DHHS recognized three circumstances, together with two fatalities.
Earlier this month, Massachusetts reported its first human case of EEE this yr, involving an aged man. In response, state officers have carried out voluntary outside curfews, closed public parks, and carried out aerial and floor mosquito spraying to regulate the inhabitants.
Signs and affect of EEE
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) notes that signs of EEE embody fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral modifications, and drowsiness. The illness can result in extreme neurological situations reminiscent of encephalitis and meningitis. About 30% of these contaminated die, and lots of survivors expertise long-term bodily or psychological results. People below 15 and over 50 are at greater danger.
Prevention and therapy
There are at the moment no vaccines or therapies for EEE. Well being officers advocate utilizing insect repellent, carrying protecting clothes, and eliminating standing water to scale back mosquito breeding websites. A 2023 Local weather Central report signifies that the variety of “mosquito days”- heat, humid days splendid for mosquito activity- has elevated within the US over the previous 4 many years on account of local weather change.
The current dying has raised new considerations concerning the rising danger of EEE in New England, which is believed to be worsened by local weather change.
Historical past of EEE
The final recorded human case of EEE in New Hampshire was in 2014, when DHHS recognized three circumstances, together with two fatalities.
Earlier this month, Massachusetts reported its first human case of EEE this yr, involving an aged man. In response, state officers have carried out voluntary outside curfews, closed public parks, and carried out aerial and floor mosquito spraying to regulate the inhabitants.
Signs and affect of EEE
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) notes that signs of EEE embody fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral modifications, and drowsiness. The illness can result in extreme neurological situations reminiscent of encephalitis and meningitis. About 30% of these contaminated die, and lots of survivors expertise long-term bodily or psychological results. People below 15 and over 50 are at greater danger.
Prevention and therapy
There are at the moment no vaccines or therapies for EEE. Well being officers advocate utilizing insect repellent, carrying protecting clothes, and eliminating standing water to scale back mosquito breeding websites. A 2023 Local weather Central report signifies that the variety of “mosquito days”- heat, humid days splendid for mosquito activity- has elevated within the US over the previous 4 many years on account of local weather change.
