A man in his 80s years old was the first to be infected and diagnosed on 16 August 2024. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, between 33% and 70% of people infected with EEE will die from the disease, with most fatalities occurring within two to 10 days after symptoms begin.
The disease is rare and only 11 cases are reported in the US annually, according to the CDC.
The EEE virus, or Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, is a rare but serious pathogen that primarily affects horses and humans. Transmitted by mosquitoes bites, when the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus infects the human body, it first travels through the bloodstream to the central nervous system.
This can cause an inflammatory response in the brain, leading to symptoms like high fever, headache, confusion, and seizures. In severe cases, it can cause encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, potentially resulting in coma or death. Long-term neurological complications can also occur in survivors.
To protect yourself from Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) "Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks, especially during peak mosquito activity times (dawn and dusk), limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours".
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