We all get bitten by mosquitoes, right? Although it's common, some mosquito bites can be much more dangerous than a simple itch. Mosquitoes can transmit other serious diseases, such as dengue fever. One such rare but potentially deadly viral disease is Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE for short. Although the name may sound a bit strange, it's important to know about it.
Simply put, what is EEE?
EEE is a virus that is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans and horses. This virus is often found in the bodies of mosquitoes that live in freshwater swamps. It belongs to the same group of viruses that are transmitted by insects called `arboviruses`, such as dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya. Think about it this way. There is a bird that is infected with this virus. A mosquito comes and bites that bird. Then the virus goes into the mosquito's body. Then when that mosquito comes and bites you or a horse, the virus enters your body. But the best thing is that this disease is not transmitted from person to person
. That means that if you touch an infected person, or if any of their secretions come into contact with your body, it will not spread. It usually affects people and horses the most. Other animals, like birds, can also get it, but they do not show symptoms.
Who is at higher risk of developing this disease?
Anyone can get this disease, but some people are at higher risk. This is especially true for people who travel to or work in areas where mosquitoes are common, such as swamps and mangroves. Other risk factors include:
- Children under 15 years of age and people over 50 years of age.
- A weakened immune system, either due to another illness or medication.
- Staying outdoors during the early morning and evening hours, when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
What are the symptoms of EEE?
Symptoms can appear between 4 and 10 days after the virus enters the body. Sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. However, if symptoms do appear, they can be divided into two categories: mild and severe.
| Symptom level | Symptoms that indicate |
|---|
| Normal (lasting 1-2 weeks) | |
| Severe (affects the brain - Encephalitis) | |
The important thing is that these severe symptoms appear when the virus starts to affect the brain. In medical terms, this is called `encephalitis` ( infection and swelling of the brain). This is a condition that requires emergency medical treatment . In young children, these severe symptoms can appear very quickly.
How does the doctor diagnose this disease exactly?
If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor right away. He or she will ask you about your symptoms and whether you have been to an area with high mosquito populations. Then, they will do some blood tests to make sure you don't have any other conditions. To confirm the diagnosis of EEE, you will need to have a special blood test (the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus IgM test). If that is positive, a test called a neutralizing antibody test will be done to confirm the diagnosis. In some severe cases, your doctor may suggest a lumbar puncture or spinal tap. This involves numbing your lower back and using a very fine needle to take a few drops of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord) and sending it to a lab. This will tell you exactly whether the infection has spread to the brain.
What are the treatments for EEE?
There is currently no specific antiviral medication that can kill the EEE virus. Also, since it is a virus, antibiotics do not cure it. Therefore, treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and helping the body fight the virus. This includes:
- Have a good rest.
- Drink plenty of fluids like water and fruit juice (avoid dehydration).
- Take a painkiller such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen for fever and body aches, as directed by your doctor.
Very important: Never give aspirin to a child or young person with a viral fever. It can cause a very rare but serious condition called `Reye's syndrome`.
If your symptoms get worse or don't improve,
go to a hospital or emergency room (ETU) immediately. If the brain is affected, you may need to be hospitalized for observation. In very severe cases, a surgery called a craniotomy may be needed to relieve pressure on the brain.
How can you protect yourself from this disease?
Since there is no vaccine yet for EEE, the best thing we can do is to protect ourselves from mosquito bites as much as possible.
| What to do | Description |
|---|
| Use mosquito repellents. | Apply a mosquito repellent containing approved ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535 to your skin. These are also safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. But read the label carefully when using on young children. |
| Wear clothes that cover the body. | Wearing long sleeves and long pants can prevent mosquitoes from reaching the skin. |
| Avoid mosquitoes most of the time. | Minimize spending time outdoors in the morning and evening. |
| Keep the environment clean. | Prevent mosquito breeding by removing places where water collects, such as tires, coconut shells, and cans. |
| Ensure home security | Install screens on windows. Use a mosquito net when sleeping. |
Take-Home Message
- EEE is a rare but very serious viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
- This disease is not transmitted from person to person.
- Symptoms can range from mild fever and body aches to severe encephalitis, which affects the brain.
- If severe symptoms (high fever, seizures, confusion) occur, see a doctor immediately.
- Since there is no specific medicine for this, the best thing to do is to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
EEE, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, mosquito-borne diseases, brain fever, viruses, encephalitis, Sri Lanka
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