Enterovirus D68 reaches Vermont

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday confirmed the first known case of enterovirus D68 in the State of Vermont. CDC revealed that a single test result, from a preschool child who has since recovered from the illness, revealed the presence of the virus.

CDC

To date, CDC has found EV-D68 in 514 patients in 43 U.S. states. It has so far not turned up in Florida, Tennessee, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska or Hawaii. According to a CNN report yesterday, EV-D68 was detected in four people who recently died, including a ten-year-old girl from Rhode Island. It is uncertain whether EV-D68 was a cause in the deaths or even a factor. The Rhode Island girl's doctor indicated that her death was primarily due to a severe bacterial infection rather than the EV-D68 virus.

Enteroviruses are common, particularly this time of year. But the EV-D68 variety has been associated with severe respiratory illness in infants, children and teens. While mild symptoms include those associated with a common cold, severe symptoms may include difficulty breathing. The CDC has warned that those with asthma are at risk of severe symptoms.

"This confirms what we expected, that this particular virus is circulating in Vermont just as it is in most other states," said Vermont state epidemiologist Patsy Kelso upon learning of the CDC confirmation.

The Vermont Department of Health notes that regular hand washing is the best precaution against contracting the enterovirus. Those who are sick are advised to remain home, to cover their coughs and sneezes and to avoid close contact with others.

There is no specific treatment for EV-D68, but parents of ill children are advised to immediately contact a healthcare professional if the children experience any breathing difficulty or if symptoms are worsening.

Back on Sept. 12, the Vermont Department of Health circulated an advisory letter through state schools. The letter described the illness, the risks involved and the best methods of protecting against the spread of the virus. "In the event that this virus spreads to Vermont," the letter said, "we want to provide you with information about the illness and how to prevent it from spreading in your community."

EEE virus returns to Whiting

The Vermont Department of Health has detected the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in mosquitoes collected from the Town of Whiting, according to an announcement on Aug. 22. The virus turned up in batches gathered from the swamps on Aug. 19. It is the first time this year that the virus was found in the area. Back in June, EEE showed up in mosquitoes collected from Grand Isle, in the northern portion of Lake Champlain.

While the EEE-carrying mosquito prefers to feed on birds, EEE can be transmitted to humans and farm animals through mosquito bites. No human or animal cases of the disease have been reported so far this year. Residents are cautioned to reduce their risk of mosquito bites and to vaccinate their horses and camelids (llamas, alpacas) against the virus.

"EEE can be a very serious disease and, although the risk of getting infected is low, it is not zero," said Erica Berl, infectious disease epidemiologist with the state Health Department. "No matter where you live, enjoy the outdoors but take precautions to fight the bite."

EEE and West Nile Virus are dangerous mosquito-borne illnesses tracked by the Department of Health. West Nile Virus was detected in mosquitoes collected from St. Albans in early August. The first known cases of EEE infection in the state occurred in 2011, when EEE was found to have caused the deaths of emus on a farm in Brandon. The first human cases of EEE in Vermont were noted in the late summer of 2012 in the Brandon area. No human cases were reported in 2013, though EEE turned up in mosquito samples and the disease did cause the deaths of two horses in Franklin County.

The state has produced the flyer below with steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection.

Return unused/expired medication on Saturday

The Vermont Department of Health reminds residents of the Green Mountain State that Saturday, September 29, is National "Take Back" Day (an initiative of the Drug Enforcement Administration).

You can clean unused and expired medications out of your medicine cabinets and drop them off at a large number of locations for proper disposal. In the Whiting area, medications can be dropped off between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Addison County Sheriff's Department, Vermont State Police Barracks, in New Haven, VT.

Other dropoff locations in the region include the Ticonderoga Police Station (135 Burgoyne Road) in Ticonderoga, NY; the Rutland County Sheriff's Office at the Diamond Run Mall (46 Diamond Run Mall Place) in Rutland, VT; and the Windsor County Sheriff's Department in the Pierce Hall Community Center (38 South Main Street) in Rochester, VT.

More aerial mosquito-spraying tonight

We were buzzed a few times by planes yesterday (Thursday) evening, as the Vermont Department of Health began its aerial spraying of mosquitoes in the Whiting-Brandon area. However, the spraying program could not be completed because of unfavorable weather conditions, including lightning and poor visibility. The Health Department plans to complete the spraying tonight (Friday), according to a press release on its website.

The Brandon block shown on the aerial spraying map (below) will be sprayed in its entirety. The Whiting block along Stickney Road and south will also be sprayed. The spraying will take place between 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Residents should take a few precautions against exposure to the Anvil insecticide that is being used. Stay indoors with windows and doors closed and air conditioners off during the spraying period and for at least a half hour afterward. Bring in laundry, toys, pet food and drinking bowls, and consider picking ripe fruits and vegetables before the spraying starts.

Two area residents were recently diagnosed with a mosquito-borne illness known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Both were hospitalized. One of the patients died five days after his diagnosis. The Department of Health recently discovered EEE and West Nile virus in mosquito pools in Whiting.

Other blog posts on this topic:

• Mosquito spraying tonight (collection of Health Department documents) (Sept. 6)
• Dick Breen, 87, educator, of Brandon (Sept. 5)
• Aerial mosquito spraying map released (Sept. 5)
• One dead of EEE, mosquito spraying to begin (Sept. 5)
• Mosquito-spraying discussion in Brandon (Sept. 3)
• Two area residents hospitalized with EEE (Sept. 2)
• West Nile virus found locally (Aug. 25) 

Mosquito spraying tonight

Here is a collection of documents disseminated by the Vermont Department of Health regarding the mosquito spraying in the Whiting-Brandon area tonight (Thursday) between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Additional information is available through the Health Department website.

 

Aerial mosquito spraying map released

The Vermont Department of Health has released a map of tomorrow night's aerial mosquito spraying areas in Whiting, Cornwall, Shoreham, Brandon, Leicester and Salisbury. The spraying is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

It isn't the most useful map in the world, but I'm guessing that aerial mosquito spraying is not a terribly precise science anyway. (In Whiting, the spraying will be performed across the entire width of the town from the Cornwall line southward nearly to the village. Spraying will also be done in adjoining areas of Shoreham, including Wooster Road, Cutting Hill Road and Webster Road; Cornwall, including Wooster Road, Parkhill Road, southern portions of Route 30, Delong Road, Galvin Road and Swamp Road; and Salisbury, including small sections near Creek Road and Hubbard Road to the west of Dewey Road.)

So, if you are clearly in the purple boxes or really anywhere near them, you should take a few precautions against exposure to the Anvil insecticide that is being used. Stay indoors with windows and doors closed and air conditioners off during the spraying period and for at least a half hour afterward. Bring in laundry, toys, pet food and drinking bowls, and consider picking ripe fruits and vegetables before the spraying starts.

The Health Department has provided information on Anvil here.

Two people have been diagnosed with a mosquito-borne illness called Eastern Equine Encephalitis. One of the patients has died. Vermont had previously seen EEE infections in livestock but never in human in the state. The discovery of EEE and West Nile viruses in mosquito pools in Whiting in late August prompted Health Department action. A public meeting on the proposed aerial spraying of insecticides was held in Brandon last night.

One dead of EEE, mosquito spraying to begin

The Vermont Health Department says one of two patients in the state diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) has died, according to reports in the Burlington Free Press and the Rutland Herald. Additional details about the patient were not made available. EEE and West Nile are two deadly viruses spread to humans by mosquito bites.

The Health Department plans to begin aerial spraying of insecticides in the Brandon-Whiting area tomorrow (Thursday) night. Ground spraying has already begin.

The aerial spraying of Anvil insecticide (Sumithrin) will be conducted between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. in two four-mile-by-four-mile squares, according to the Rutland Herald. One of the squares will cross Route 30 between Cornwall and Whiting (centered on Stickney Road). The other will be along nearly all of Grove Street in Leicester and Brandon.

The Health Department advises residents to stay indoors during the spraying and for about 30 minutes afterward. Doors and windows should be closed and air conditioners should be turned off during that period. If Anvil spray comes in contact with eyes, rinse immediately with water. Exposed skin should be washed. Exposed clothing should be washed separately from other clothing. Pet food and water bowls should be brought indoors.

Mosquito-spraying discussion in Brandon

Officials with the Vermont Health Department will discuss efforts to control the mosquito population in the region during a meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow night (Tuesday) at the Brandon Town Hall, according to a report by WCAX-TV.
The department plans to begin aerial spraying of insecticides as early as Wednesday evening in response to two diagnosed human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The aerial spraying would be centered on the Whiting-Brandon area.
EEE and West Nile virus were detected in mosquito pools in Whiting. Ground spraying is already being performed by the Brandon, Leicester, Salisbury, Goshen Mosquito District.

Two area residents hospitalized with EEE

There are now at least two human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in area hospitals. According to a story in the Burlington Free Press this morning, two people from the Addison and Rutland County area are being treated after the presence of the EEE virus was confirmed.
About a week earlier, as reported here, West Nile virus and EEE virus was detected by Vermont health officials at two mosquito pools in our town of Whiting. Residents were warned to take precautions against mosquito bites.

The state is now considering aerial spraying of insecticides over the area where EEE was found. An aerial spraying program could begin as early as next week, weather permitting.
Health Commissioner Harry Chen released a statement saying, "The severe form of EEE is a terrible disease, and we want to take every reasonable action to prevent people from becoming infected." Chen noted that the viruses could continue to spread through mosquito bites until the first freeze. While insecticides should reduce the risk, Chen warned residents to continue to take personal precautions against mosquito bites.
The EEE illness can take two forms. A person may experience chills, fever, pain in muscles and joints for up to two weeks. In more severe cases, the virus reaches the central nervous system, causing fever, headaches, mood changes and possibly convulsions and coma. There is no vaccine for humans.
Officials suggest avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, covering arms and legs while outdoors, using insect repellant, and eliminating the standing water where mosquitoes breed.

West Nile virus found locally

Our little town of Whiting made the regional news yesterday, as the Vermont Health Department announced that West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus were detected in town mosquito pools.

Four mosquito pools were tested in Whiting. Three tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The fourth tested positive for West Nile virus. Mosquitoes can transmit the diseases to people and animals. The health department does not perform exhaustive statewide testing of mosquitoes but views the Whiting test results as evidence that Vermont residents should keep the health issues in mind.

"The positive samples are the first evidence of EEE and West Nile virus in Vermont this year," said State Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso. "It is a good reminder these viruses are circulating in Vermont and people should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites."

The health department recommends the following precautions:

• Wearing long sleeves and long pants.
• Avoiding outdoor activities at dusk and dawn.
• Taking measures to reduce standing water in which mosquitoes breed.
• Using insect repellents.
• Maintaining screens on home windows and doors.

Most people bitten by a West Nile virus-carrying mosquito will experience no symptoms. Up to 20 percent of people infected with the virus may experience fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting. A much smaller percentage will develop life-threatening illnesses.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis is much more rare in humans. As with West Nile, most infected people have no symptoms. However, several cases of serious to severe EEE infection occur in the U.S. each year, generally in the Atlantic and Gulf Coast states. In severe cases, the illness can lead to swelling of the brain. The mortality rate of severe infections is as high as 33%. The disease is extremely dangerous to horses, where its mortality rates are 70% or higher. There is no cure for EEE. Many horses in eastern and southern states are routinely vaccinated against the virus.

These viruses are said to originate in bird populations. While direct bird-to-human transmission is not impossible, mosquitoes are generally responsible for moving it.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, mosquitoes carry the highest amounts of these viruses in the early fall, after a summer of interaction with birds.

Thirteen West Nile virus cases have been reported in neighboring New York State so far this year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Two older people have died of the disease. New York health officials have detected West Nile in 714 mosquito pools across the state. None to date have been found to be infected with EEE. Massachusetts has reported high levels of EEE-infected mosquitos - the highest number in 30 years. Several days ago, CNN reported that the U.S. is experiencing the worst West Nile virus outbreak ever seen. At that point, 38 states had reported human infections. A total of 1,118 people had been infected with 44 related deaths reported.