United States: A rare yet lethal mosquito-borne illness is casting a looming menace over certain areas of New England, compelling health authorities to issue warnings that have led to the cancellation of various events and alterations in sports schedules, all aimed at minimizing exposure to infected insects.
Eastern equine encephalitis, a disease notorious for triggering symptoms such as nausea and convulsions, recently claimed the life of a New Hampshire resident who succumbed after infection. Health officials confirmed two other human cases this summer, one in Massachusetts and another in Vermont. Consequently, authorities are urging measures to draw people indoors prior to dusk when the risk of mosquito bites peaks, according to the reports by turnto10.com.
Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, saw the cancellation of its Oktoberfest, while schools across New England have adapted their sports practices to avoid the hours when mosquitos are most active.
While infections remain infrequent, eastern equine encephalitis presents a grave threat, as approximately 30% of those affected do not survive, per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even those who overcome the illness may face enduring mental and physical impairments. Vulnerable populations, especially those over 50 and under 15, appear more prone to developing severe complications, according to the CDC.
“Given the virus activity we’ve observed in Vermont and across New England, we must treat the risk of EEE with utmost seriousness,” Dr Mark Levine, Vermont’s health commissioner, remarked in a statement last week, as per turnto10.com.
In Vermont, mosquito populations testing positive for the virus are soaring far beyond previous years’ figures. Residents of high-risk areas have been advised to avoid outdoor activities after dark until the season’s first significant frost eradicates the mosquito population, the state’s health department reported.
A popular evening festival at Burlington’s Intervale, known for its live music, food, and drinks, was called off for the week due to concerns about public safety, as organizers emphasized prioritizing “the safety of our staff and our community.”
Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, the town of Plymouth is enforcing evening closures for parks and fields, and at least four other towns have issued advisories urging residents to remain indoors after nightfall. During a 2019 outbreak in Massachusetts, 12 cases of the disease were confirmed, resulting in six fatalities. The following year, the outbreak persisted with five additional cases and another death, as per turnto10.com.
No vaccines or treatments exist for this disease, and only a handful of cases are reported annually within the US, predominantly in states along the eastern and Gulf coasts, according to the CDC.