EEE Scare Escalates To Warnings, Curfews In Connecticut

Over the past month, the presence of mosquitoes testing positive for the deadly Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus led to field curfews, warnings and health scares in several Connecticut towns. The EEE scare began taking shape over the past week when state health officials announced that a second Connecticut resident had died as a result of the virus and that EEE-infected mosquitos were now found in South Windsor. Two Connecticut residents from East and Old Lyme were killed by the EEE virus, officials confirmed. EEE mosquitoes have now been found in 21 Connecticut towns. The virus has forced some towns to suspend evening activities and change the start times for some area high school football games. South Windsor residents were urged to "protect" themselves from mosquito bites and "mosquito-borne diseases." The virus is spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes. EEE is rare in the United States with an average of seven cases reported each year. Severe cases of EEE virus infection (involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting. The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, and coma. Approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, and many of those who survive have mild to severe brain damage, according to the DPH. There is no specific treatment for EEE. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, and no effective anti-viral drugs have been discovered. Severe illnesses are treated by supportive therapy which may include hospitalization, respiratory support, IV fluids, and prevention of other infections. It takes 4 to 10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito to develop symptoms of EEE...MORE