We all know that mosquitoes are a very common and annoying animal for us in Sri Lanka. We don't pay much attention to them except for the itching and small red bumps that come with a small bite. But did you know that some mosquito bites can even lead to very dangerous conditions that cannot be ignored? Today we are going to talk about a serious disease that is transmitted by such a mosquito and affects the brain. Its name is Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or (EEE) for short.
Simply put, what is EEE?
Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a disease caused by a virus. This virus enters our bodies when an infected mosquito bites us. This is a very dangerous thing that happens. That is, this virus goes to our brain and causes an infection and swelling of the brain. In medicine, we call this encephalitis .
Imagine what can happen when the brain, which is like the control center of our body, becomes inflamed or infected. The brain, which controls all of our thoughts, movements, and emotions, can become completely paralyzed. The severity of this disease is so severe that about 30 out of 100 people who contract EEE and have brain damage die . Therefore, this is a condition that should be taken very seriously.
You may be wondering how the name EEE came about. Equine means horses. So researchers first discovered this virus in horses in the 1830s. That's why it got its name.
How is EEE transmitted? Is it transmitted from person to person?
This is a very important question. EEE is not transmitted from person to person . That is, you cannot get the disease by touching, being with, or sneezing on an infected person. Likewise, it cannot be transmitted directly from a horse or other animal to a human.
The only way to transmit this virus is through the bite of an infected mosquito .
Simply put, this is what happens:
1. First, some mosquitoes bite a bird that has the EEE virus and suck the bird's blood.
2. Then the EEE virus enters the mosquito's body.
3. Then, the mosquito infected with the virus comes and bites a human or a horse.
4. That's when the virus enters our body.
We call this virus an arbovirus , which means a virus transmitted by insects (arthropods).
The most important thing is that it is only transmitted by an infected mosquito. Therefore, protecting yourself from mosquitoes is the best way to avoid this disease.
What are the symptoms of EEE?
Most of the time, most people who are infected with the EEE virus do not develop any symptoms . However, if symptoms do appear, they usually begin between 4 and 10 days after the mosquito bite.
These symptoms can be divided into two categories: the general basic symptoms and the symptoms that occur when the disease becomes severe and affects the brain.
| Type of symptom | Symptoms that indicate |
|---|---|
| Basic/Common Symptoms |
|
| Severe (when the brain is affected) symptoms |
|
These severe symptoms can often be similar to those of a common cold or flu. Therefore, if you experience a fever, body aches, unusual headaches, or changes in consciousness after a mosquito bite, see a doctor immediately.
Who is at higher risk of contracting this disease?
Although anyone can develop EEE, some people are at higher risk of developing it and developing severe symptoms.
- Children under 15 years of age and adults over 50 years of age: Both of these people have relatively weak immune systems (the body's system that fights disease), so they can be easily attacked by the virus.
- People who spend a lot of time outdoors: People who work or live in areas where mosquitoes are abundant, especially swamps, forests, or rice fields, are at higher risk. Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and evening, so people who are outdoors during these times are also at higher risk.
- Immunocompromised people: This disease can severely affect people whose body's ability to resist illness is reduced due to other medical conditions. For example:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- People undergoing cancer treatment
- Organ transplant recipients
What are the possible complications of the disease?
Because EEE directly affects the brain, the complications it causes are very serious. Even if the disease is cured, some people may be left with lifelong problems.
- Permanent brain damage: This is the most serious and dangerous complication.
- Seizures: Frequent seizures may occur.
- Paralysis: Parts of the body may become paralyzed.
- Behavioral changes: Changes such as irritability and memory loss may occur.
- Intellectual impairment: Thinking and learning abilities may decrease.
- Coma: A state of unconsciousness.
It is because of such severe consequences that it is recommended to seek medical advice immediately, even if it is a minor symptom.
Diagnosis and treatment of the disease
When you go to see a doctor, he will carefully listen to your symptoms. He will ask you things like whether you have been bitten by mosquitoes recently or whether you have traveled anywhere.
There is no specific test for EEE. However, blood tests can rule out other diseases. If you need to make a more specific diagnosis, your doctor may take a sample of your cerebrospinal fluid and test it. This checks for antibodies that your body makes against the virus in the fluid around your brain.
How is it treated?
Unfortunately, there is no specific medicine or treatment yet to kill the EEE virus. Also, antibiotics cannot kill this virus, because they only work on bacteria.
Therefore, the main focus of treatment is to control symptoms and help the body fight the virus. We call this 'supportive care' .
- For those with common symptoms:
- Rest well.
- Drink plenty of water and fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Taking painkillers recommended by the doctor.
- For those with severe symptoms:
- People like this definitely need to be hospitalized and treated .
- The patient's condition is monitored 24 hours a day at the hospital.
- If the pressure inside the skull increases due to brain swelling, surgery such as a craniotomy may be necessary to reduce the pressure.
Most importantly: How to protect yourself from mosquitoes?
There is no vaccine for EEE for humans yet (although there is one for horses). Therefore, the best and only way to protect yourself from this disease is to avoid mosquito bites . These tips will help you avoid not only EEE, but also other mosquito-borne diseases common in Sri Lanka such as dengue, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis.
- Use mosquito repellents: Use a mosquito repellent applied to the skin when going outdoors.
- Wear clothing that covers the body: Wear long sleeves and long pants, especially if you are going out in the morning and evening.
- Remove standing water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in clean water. Therefore, regularly clean any places in your garden where water can collect, such as tires, cans, coconut shells, and flower pots.
- Install screens on doors and windows: This is a good way to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house.
- Use mosquito nets: It is very important to use a mosquito net when sleeping at night.
If you or someone in your family suddenly develops symptoms such as fever, severe headache with body aches, or changes in consciousness, do not waste time and immediately see a doctor or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Take-Home Message
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a very dangerous viral disease that affects the brain and is transmitted by mosquitoes.
- This disease is not spread from person to person; it is only transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
- Fever, body aches, severe headache, and altered consciousness are the main severe symptoms.
- Since there is no specific treatment for the EEE virus, the best thing to do is to avoid the disease.
- Protecting yourself from mosquito bites (just like protecting yourself from dengue) is the only way to avoid this disease.
- If you experience the above severe symptoms after a mosquito bite, seek medical advice immediately.
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