1. How do you get infected with EEE? How soon do people get sick?
What is EEEV?
What is EEEV?
Eastern equine encephalitis virus
EEE is a rare disease that is caused by a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. Two people have recently died in CT from EEE in Old Lyme and East Lyme.
EEE is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito
Disease transmission does not occur directly from person to person
How do you get infected with EEE?
Anyone in an area where the virus is circulating
People who work outside or participate in outdoor recreational activities because of greater exposure to potentially infected mosquitoes
Who is at risk?
It takes 4-10 days after the bite of an infected mosquito to develop symptoms of EEE
How soon do people get sick?
High fever, stiff neck, severe headache and lack of energy
The illness may then progress into disorientation, seizures, and coma
What are the symptoms?
There is no specific treatment for EEE virus
Severe illnesses are treated by supportive therapy
Approximately 1/3 of people who develop EEE end up dying
What is the treatment?
Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or Oil of lemon eucalyptus
Wear long sleeves and pants
Stay inside from dusk to dawn
What can you do?