Deadly virus rapidly spreading across USA States! Many states on high alert! What are its symptoms?

The United States has recorded its first death from a mosquito-borne virus known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The virus was detected as rare Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), which was first discovered in horses in Massachusetts in 1938.

This virus is a rare but severe illness that can cause inflammation of the brain. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, and symptoms can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe neurological complications. 

Following Massachusetts, New York reported its first case of eastern equine encephalitis in nearly a decade on Friday. According to the New York State Department of Health, this rare mosquito-borne virus was discovered in Ulster County. According to the statement, the subject is in the hospital for treatment.

According to ABC News, there have been at least 11 cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the U.S. this year.  Most cases occur in the eastern or Gulf Coast states.  

Besides New York (1), EEE cases have been reported in Massachusetts (4), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (1), Rhode Island (1), Vermont (1), and Wisconsin (1).  Since 2003, there have been nearly 200 EEE cases in the U.S., with many resulting in hospitalisations and deaths.

What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)? What are its symptoms?

The Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a mosquito-borne disease that was first identified in horses in Massachusetts in 1938. Although it primarily affected horses, humans can also be infected through the bite of an infected mosquito. 

Symptoms can vary widely, including fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, behavioural changes, and extreme drowsiness. EEE is a serious health concern, especially in areas where mosquito populations are high.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, people under the age of 15 and over 50 are prone to getting infected with this virus. Although EEE does not occur every year, current evidence indicates that there is a high risk of human cases in 2024.

How does it spread?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus primarily circulates between mosquitoes and birds, predominantly in freshwater hardwood swamps. 

Humans, along with certain animals like horses and emus, can become infected through bites from specific mosquitoes termed "bridge vectors," which feed on both birds and mammals. 

Humans and horses are classified as "dead-end" hosts, meaning they can contract the virus but do not transmit it back to mosquitoes. Rarely, EEE virus transmission has also occurred through organ transplants.

The CDC emphasises the severity of EEE, noting that approximately 30% of infected individuals may die from the disease, with many survivors facing long-lasting neurological complications. 

Currently, there are no vaccines or specific treatments available for EEE, and for those who exhibit symptoms, the incubation period ranges from 4 to 10 days. The CDC warns that the infection can manifest as either a mild febrile illness or a severe neurological disease.

What precautions have been taken?

Four of the towns in Massachusetts, such as Douglas, Oxford, Sutton, and Webster, have implemented evening lockdowns. 

According to a public health advisory shared with Fox News Digital, the Oxford Board of Health supports the recommendation that individuals stay indoors after 6 p.m. immediately and until September 30. And it is also suggested that after October 1, 2024, the timings will be reevaluated, falling to 5 p.m.

The first death is recorded for an 80-year-old man living in North Hampshire who was infected in mid-August of this EEE virus. Since then, approximately 118 human cases and 64 deaths from the virus have occurred in the state, based on data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.