MOBILE, Ala. -- A Mobile resident has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), lab reports confirm. The 66-year-old male patient remained hospitalized Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, in Mobile. He resides in the 36618 ZIP code of Mobile County.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis is one of the most severe mosquito-transmitted diseases in the United States with a mortality rate of approximately 33 percent, said Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer of Mobile County. “It’s a very serious illness that can leave significant brain damage in survivors.”
Eastern Equine Encephalitis and other mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile Virus are transmitted from bird to mosquito to bird. Mosquitoes can spread these viruses by feeding on the blood of infected birds and then biting another host animal or mammal such as a horse or human. Although humans and horses can become ill from the infection, the diseases cannot be spread from people or horses. The likelihood of transmission to humans can be decreased by avoiding mosquitoes. There is no vaccine available for humans, Eichold said.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis can be more dangerous to people and other mammals than other mosquito-borne viruses. However the same mosquito-prevention measures reduce exposures to all such viruses. Bites to children should be watched for secondary infections that need to be treated by a physician.
The Mobile County Health Department’s Vector Control division monitors encephalitis in sentinel poultry flocks placed throughout the county to detect the presence of viruses carried by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are trapped throughout the county and tested for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, and St. Louis Encephalitis. According to Vector Control staff, aggressive surveillance and control activities are ongoing.
The most effective and economical method to quell the adult mosquito population is to reduce their emergence from as many breeding sites as possible with larviciding treatments. Inspectors regularly check areas with standing water for mosquito breeding and treat as necessary using both portable and truck mounted equipment.
MCHD inspectors also respond to service requests from residents to inspect backyard areas as well as to treat identified breeding areas and to provide education. Because of large volumes of calls received daily, service requests are responded to on a first-call, first-served basis and may take a few days to be addressed, health officials said.
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