Beginning to get the feeling that the EEE virus can
be found wherever you take the time to look for it?
The State Department of Health announced in the middle of last week that a horse in Highgate, VT, was euthanized (on Aug. 30) after becoming ill from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The health department's press release indicated, "This is evidence the mosquitoes in the area carry the virus."
This should not be a surprise. The state has documented the presence of EEE antibodies in deer and moose collected from all over Vermont, revealing that those animals had been exposed to but fought off the virus (probably recently, but no one seems to know how long the antibodies linger). However, state efforts to track the EEE virus and combat it (through aerial spraying of insecticides) have been concentrated in the area of the Whiting swamp in portions of Addison and Rutland counties. This seems designed in large part to quiet fears, because two area residents died in 2012 after contracting EEE.
The health department acknowledges, "Active mosquito surveillance is limited to those parts of Addison and Rutland counties and much more limited surveillance in parts of Franklin and Chittenden counties, so it's possible that EEE and West Nile virus are present in other parts of the state."
Highgate, sitting on the border with Canada, is almost as far as one can get from the Whiting swamp and still remain in the State of Vermont. (I shouldn't have to point out, but will, that the international border does not include mosquito netting, so EEE likely will be found in Canada too.)
It may be time for the state to put away the bug spray and launch a more comprehensive study of EEE in Vermont. It would be nice to know if this virus is a new threat to human health or if we actually have existed along with it every late summer for decades but only recently acquired the expertise to identify it.
Showing posts with label Horses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Horses. Show all posts
09 September 2013
25 August 2012
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:
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.
"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.
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