Every year millions of people die globally due to mosquito-borne diseases. In India too, these days people have been cautioned to prevent such diseases. During monsoon days, a large number of people are affected due to diseases like dengue-malaria and chikungunya across the country and hospitals get crowded.
Recent reports are also worrying, which shows that the number of dengue patients is increasing rapidly in many states like Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra. Given the worsening situation in Karnataka, dengue has been declared an epidemic here.
Apart from dengue-malaria and chikungunya, another mosquito-borne disease is raising the concern of health experts in some countries these days. According to reports, many states in the US are facing an outbreak of a serious disease called Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Not only this, lockdown-like conditions have been created in many cities, where people have been forced to stay at home.
What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis?
Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also known as Triple-E, is a virus that spreads from infected mosquitoes to horses and humans. These mosquitoes usually live in stagnant water. Its outbreak has been seen more in North America, South America, Central America, and Caribbean countries.
Although EEE is quite rare and only a few cases are reported in the US every year, it can be very serious. About 30% of people suffering from the infection die. At the same time, those who survive the infection are at risk of permanent health problems.
These days, health experts have warned people about the potential risks of EEE in many US states.
Lockdown-like conditions in many places
According to media reports, given the spread of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, public events have been postponed in the US state of Vermont, this is the second state to do so. At the same time, the Massachusetts administration has advised citizens to stay at home at night.
The Vermont Health Department has advised people in some of the state's busiest cities not to go out of their homes between 6 pm and 6 am, as this is the time when EEE-infected mosquitoes bite the most. There are lockdown-like conditions here. Last week, a 41-year-old man died of the infection in New Hampshire.
The condition of infection can be serious
Health experts say that in case of EEE infection, patients feel fever, muscle pain, and nausea. In severe cases, there is also a risk of permanent brain damage or death due to this. Research shows that the risk of this infection is higher from the end of spring to the beginning of autumn. Usually, it is at its peak during the summer months.
It is worth noting that this virus can spread to humans only through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no risk of it from an infected person to other people or from infected horses (or other animals) to humans.
Serious problems can occur in such people
There is no specific treatment for EEE infection yet. Supportive therapy is given during treatment. Health experts say that some people may be at a higher risk of getting this infection. People who live or work in areas where mosquitoes are more prevalent need to be especially cautious. One should avoid going out of the house during the morning or evening when mosquitoes are most active. Teenagers (children under 15 years of age) and people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk of developing serious conditions due to the infection.
In addition, people with a weak immune system such as cancer patients, diabetics, and people suffering from high blood pressure have been seen to be at a higher risk of serious symptoms.
(PC: Freepik)
