This weekend we called animal control to report finding a very dead, although seemingly untouched fox along the bridle path separating our backyard from the Birchwold conservation area. We were worried, because there’ve been increased numbers of Fisher Cats (not really cats, more like 40 pound weasels on steroids with big fangs and claws) around these parts, and we initially suspected a battle for territory just outside our fence.We then found three dead, but intact sparrows in our pond (unfortunately, we’ve found birds in the past, but never intact with Gryphon prowling the area). This morning I reported these all to the state Board of Health after hearing about fatal outbreaks of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus in this area. EEE in particular is very scary and a horse in this little town was diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease just this past week.
September 6, 2005Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) Reports Two Fatal Human Cases of Eastern Equine EncephalitisA 5-year-old girl from Halifax and an 83-year-old man from Kingston have died after being diagnosed with eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), bringing the number of human EEE cases identified in Massachusetts so far this year to three.The young girl became ill August 26, and died September 4. Testing at the Massachusetts State Laboratory Institute revealed presumptive EEE on September 3, and final confirmatory testing is pending. The elderly man became ill on August 21 and died on August 26. Confirmation of EEE in his case was made a week after his death and was dependent on a blood specimen drawn before his death and testing of tissue samples that were provided after his death.Last week the first case to be diagnosed in a 63-year-old woman from Duxbury was reported. Although she was the first case diagnosed and reported, her onset was on August 26 after the man from Kingston had already developed symptoms. She continues to be hospitalized in serious condition….
What is Eastern Equine Encephalitis?Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is a rare but serious disease caused by a virus. The virus infects birds that live in freshwater swamps and is spread from bird to bird by infected mosquitoes. If a mosquito infected with the virus bites a horse or human, the animal or person can become sick. The risk of getting EEE is highest from late July through September.What are the symptoms of EEE?The first symptoms of EEE are high fever (103º to106ºF), stiff neck, headache, and lack of energy. These symptoms show up three to ten days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. Inflammation and swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, is the most dangerous symptom. The disease gets worse quickly and some patients may go into a coma within a week.What is the treatment for EEE?There is no cure for EEE, and three of every ten people who get the disease die from it. All doctors can do is lower the fever and ease the pressure on the brain. Some people who survive this disease will be permanently disabled. Few people recover completely.How is EEE spread?The virus that causes EEE is spread only by mosquitoes. People and horses with EEE do not spread the disease.How common is EEE in Massachusetts?EEE is very rare. Since it was first described in 1938, through 2004, only 79 cases have been reported in Massachusetts. Fifty of the cases occurred during outbreaks in 1938-39 and 1955-56. Over half of the cases have been from Plymouth or Norfolk counties in southeastern Massachusetts. Rare cases have occurredoutside of eastern Massachusetts.What can you do to protect yourself?There is an EEE vaccine for horses, but not for people. The best way to protect yourself is to keep mosquitoes from biting you. Follow these steps every summer to reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, particularly if you live near natural wetlands.
- If you must be outdoors at dusk or dawn, wear a longsleeved shirt and long pants.
- Use repellents containing DEET
- Repair any holes in your screens and make sure they are tightly attached.
What can you do to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood?Get rid of any standing water. Mosquitoes will begin to breed in any puddle or standing water that lasts for more than four days.