A recurring and deadly mosquito-borne virus is slowly spreading in the Northeast this summer with at least one confirmed case in five states and one dead already in New Hampshire.
What Is Happening?
The state of Massachusetts has raised risk levels of multiple communities, increasing efforts of spraying insecticides in certain areas, due to mosquito-borne diseases spreading in the East Coast of the US. One in particular that is raising concerns is the Eastern Equine Encephalitis, which is also known as Triple E; as the state has its fourth confirmed case this summer.
Which States Has This Virus Hit?
It has hit the states of Wisconsin, Vermont, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire so far. It is inevitable that the virus will hit other states in the Northeast. Triple E is causing fear among the public because the man who had died in New Hampshire from the virus was healthy and had no underlying condition prior to acquiring the virus, making this virus fatal as a person dies within two to ten days after symptoms have shown.
How Is This Virus Fatal? Is There A Vaccine?
Although most people do recover from the virus in its febrile – fever-related – form within a week or two, there is a small chance of less than 5% that the virus could become neuroinvasive, attacking the central nervous system. “It depends how the virus travels around the body, whether through the bloodstream or cerebrospinal fluid which it can go to the brain,” Mr. Williamson said, an AP Biology teacher here at Golden Valley.
The symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, behavioral changes, drowsiness, and coma. 30% of those who catch Triple E die, but those who survive have to deal with physical and mental problems. Mr. Williamson added that viruses destroy cells. If it gets in the brain, then the virus can start destroying neurons and brain cells which can cause physical and mental problems.
Additionally, there is no vaccine or medication that can counter Triple E, adding to the fear factor of this virus for the people whose loved ones are at risk of acquiring it through mosquitoes this summer. “It is difficult to create a vaccine, for all viral diseases really, due to the fact viruses mutate from time to time,” Mr. Williamson said.
Do All Mosquitoes Spread The Virus?
Mosquitoes are common in wetlands like swamps and bogs, or any place that has standing water. The environment needs to be warm for mosquitoes to lay eggs, and a warm environment makes the mosquitoes want to feed more because they are ectothermic which means their metabolism is affected by warmer temperatures.
Two species of mosquitoes have been found to spread Triple E: Culiseta melanura and Coquillettidia perturbans. Although the Culiseta melanura – the black-tailed mosquito – does not usually feed on mammals. The Coquillettidia perturbans – the cattail mosquitos – are the ones responsible for spreading the virus to most of the human cases.
As they feed on birds that the black-tailed mosquitoes – the ones likely transmitting Triple E – commonly feed from, the cattail mosquitoes may bite mammals like horses and humans that spread Triple E more. Mr. Williamson mentioned that it is a possibility that other mosquitoes could also spread the virus besides the two mentioned above.
Where Did Triple E Come From?
Triple E was first discovered in horses in Massachusetts in 1831, then the first human cases were identified a century later in 1938. Triple E is sporadic, occuring in irregular intervals, as there has been between one to fifteen cases from 2003 to 2023, with the exception of 2005 with 21 cases and 2019 with 38 cases mostly in the East Coast and some in the Midwest during summertime.
Climate Change Helps The Spread
Some experts have determined that climate change is a great factor to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like Triple E. It prolongs mosquito season as hotter weather allows for mosquitoes to breed and feed more and mosquitoes eggs can hatch faster. With a warmer atmosphere, more moisture causes rainfall events to dump more water than normal, which allows areas to hold more standing water where mosquitoes can breed and lay eggs. Besides Triple E, diseases spread by mosquitoes like Malaria, Dengue fever, West Nile virus, Zika virus, and more are inevitable to infect more people due to a warmer climate.
Prevent To Protect
Prevention is the best protection. The CDC has advised to use insect repellents, wear long-sleeved clothing, use screens or fix holes in windows and doors, use air conditioning, and watch out for standing water sources which need to be removed as soon as possible. It is advisable to not go out during the night as mosquito activity is most active at that time, especially if one is near or within a wooded area or wetland.
Stay Safe And Watch Out
It is imperative to avoid getting bit by mosquitoes and to remind others about this. However, mosquito-borne diseases are not the only ones that need to be worried about. Flu season is on the horizon and the changing of weather from Summer to Fall can factor in people getting sick. This is a reminder to keep up with vaccinations, and take medication or rest when you are feeling sick, because getting sick sucks. Viral diseases are out there like monkeypox that is having a comeback in the United States and other countries around the world this year. Stay safe and watch out.