Mosquitoes: The Facts about EEE

EEE Fact Sheet
PUBLIC HEALTH FACT SHEET

***** EEE has been found in Southeastern MA. in the recent weeks. Please beware of the following information and guidelines******

Eastern Equine Encephalitis
What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis? Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus. The virus infects birds that live in freshwater swamps and is spread from bird to bird by infected mosquitoes. If a mosquito infected with the virus bites a horse or human, the animal or person can become sick. The risk of getting EEE is highest from late July through September.

What are the symptoms of EEE? The first symptoms of EEE are high fever (103º to106ºF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous symptom. The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week.

What is the treatment for EEE? There is no cure for EEE, and three of every ten people who get the disease die from it. All doctors can do is lower the fever and ease the pressure on the brain. Some people who survive this disease will be permanently disabled. Few people recover completely.

How is EEE spread? The virus that causes EEE is spread only by mosquitoes. People and horses with EEE do not spread the disease.

What can you do to protect yourself? There is an EEE vaccine for horses, but not for people. The best way to protect yourself is to keep mosquitoes from biting you. Follow these steps every summer to reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, particularly if you live near natural wetlands.
* If you must be outdoors at dusk or dawn, when mosquitoes that carry EEE are most active, wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Take special care to cover up the arms and legs of children playing outdoors.
* Use repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) and choose a product that will provide sufficient protection for the amount of time spent outdoors. Product labels often indicate the length of time that someone can expect protection from a product. DEET is considered safe when used according to the manufacturer’s directions. Products containing DEET should not be used on children less than 2 months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or lower for older children and adults. Mosquito netting may be used to cover infant carriers or to protect other areas for children less than 2 months of age. The following precautions should be observed when using DEET products:
* Avoid using DEET products that combine the repellent with a sunscreen. Sunscreens may need to be reapplied too often, resulting in an over application of DEET.
* Apply DEET on exposed skin, using only as much as needed.
* Do not use DEET on the hands of young children and avoid applying repellent to areas around the eyes and mouth.
* Do not use DEET over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
* Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors and wash treated clothing.
* Avoid spraying DEET products in enclosed areas.


What can you do to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood? To reduce mosquito populations around your home and neighborhood, get rid of any standing water that is available for mosquito breeding. Mosquitoes will begin to breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days. Here are some simple steps you can take:
* Dispose of or regularly empty any metal cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, and other water holding containers (including trash cans) on your property.
* Pay special attention to discarded tires that may have collected on your property. Stagnant water in tires is a common place for mosquitoes to breed.
* Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors, so that water can drain out.
* Clean clogged roof gutters; remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
* Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
* Tires that may have collected on your property. Stagnant water in tires is a common place for mosquitoes
* Do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths; aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
* Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers. * Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.

What does the state do to protect people from EEE? Massachusetts developed a Surveillance and Response Plan that coordinates efforts of local officials and state agencies to reduce the risk of EEE. The plan involves checking for the virus in mosquitoes, reducing the number of mosquitoes in the environment, and educating people on ways to avoid mosquito bites. Every year from May until the first hard frost, the MDPH and local mosquito control projects collect mosquitoes from various locations around the state and send them to the State Laboratory for testing. If the virus that causes EEE is found in mosquitoes, MDPH will tell local boards of health and mosquito control projects and ask them to increase their education and mosquito control activities. MDPH provides educational materials for physicians, veterinarians, local public health officials, and the public along with updates on EEE activity in mosquitoes, horses and humans online.

For more information:
For general questions about EEE: MDPH, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800 or toll free at 1-888-658-2850 or online at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv/wnv1.htm. You may also contact your local board of health (listed in the telephone directory under “government”)
For questions about health effects of pesticides: MDPH, Center for Environmental Health at (617) 624-5757
For general information about mosquito control: visit the following webpage www.mass.gov/agr/mosquito/index.htm or contact the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board within the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources at (617) 626-1777.
For questions about mosquito control in your city or town: Contact your local board of health (listed in the telephone directory under “government”)