What to know now that eastern equine encephalitis was found in six Connecticut towns

Matt Grahn, Norwich Bulletin
Updated ·2 min read

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has found mosquitoes in six towns carrying the eastern equine encephalitis virus, including in Voluntown.

The infected mosquitoes were found in the Pachaug State Forest on Sept. 5. The Uncas Health District is urging people to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases, a press release from Uncas Health District states.

"We encourage residents of southeastern Connecticut to take simple measures such as wearing mosquito repellent and covering bare skin, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active," Patrick McCormack, MPH, Director of Health, stated in the release.

The other five towns are Hampton, Killingly, Thompson, Tolland and Woodstock.

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What is eastern equine encephalitis, commonly called EEE

EEE is a rare but serious virus transmitted by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes only get the virus by feeding on infected wild birds. The virus is usually found in species of mosquitoes that feed on birds, but the virus is occasionally passed to other mosquito species known to bite people and horses. The virus cannot be passed from person to person or from horses to humans, the press release states.

The risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases usually increases through the late summer and early fall. Mosquitoes are active until the first heavy frost, the press release states.

What are the symptoms of EEE

Infection with EEE virus can cause serious illness affecting the brain.

Symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, and decreased consciousness.

Many of those who recover experience lasting health problems. Individuals EEE symptoms should contact their physician immediately.

But, the disease is fatal in 25% to 50% of cases.

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Are there vaccines for EEE

No human vaccine against EEE virus infection or specific antiviral treatment for clinical EEE virus infections is available.

How to protect yourself from EEE and mosquito bites

To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, people should

  • Minimize time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

  • Check that door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.

  • Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active. Clothing should be light-colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.

  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect babies when outdoors.

  • Consider using mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.

For information on EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases, what can be done to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes, the latest mosquito test results and human infections, visit the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program website at https://portal.ct.gov/mosquito.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: EEE found in mosquitoes in six Connecticut towns, including Voluntown