# 4812
Last month I wrote several blogs (here, here, and here) on 4 fatal cases of an exceedingly rare mosquito borne infection - called `Triple E’ (Eastern Equine Encephalitis) - in Florida during July.
As I pointed out at the time, although the spotlight was focused on Florida, this wasn’t just a problem for the sunshine state.
The graphic below shows that while Florida leads the pack that over the years Massachusetts, New Jersey, Georgia, and Louisiana have seen their share of cases as well.
This summer, Michigan – which has only reported 13 cases in the past half century – has two suspected human cases (WTVB news report).
Additionally, according to this report from WNDU-TV, more than 5 dozen horses in the southwestern part of the state have died of the virus – the most in 30 years.
Meanwhile, the Boston Globe is reporting (see R.I. man contracts EEE, Mass. health official says) on a Rhode Island man in his 20s who is in critical condition after contracting the virus during a visit to Southeastern Massachusetts.
EEE is arguably the most serious, but also one of the least common, mosquito-borne diseases found in the United States. In a typical year, only about 7 human infections (not deaths) are reported.
While not a huge health risk - when you add in somewhat higher rates of West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, La Crosse Virus . . . and now a small number of Dengue Fever cases in Florida – it makes sense to take reasonable precautions against being bitten.
MMWR Domestic Arboviral Diseases 1999-2008
Many communities have stepped up the spraying for mosquitoes this summer based on a variety of surveillance methods.
The State of Rhode Island has an informative page describing their Mosquito Borne Disease Risk Assessment Matrix, which takes into account the physical environment (temperature, wind speeds, humidity) along with surveillance data (mosquito density, species, and reported infections), and the time of year.
While communities can do much to protect their citizenry against mosquitoes, individuals need to take protective steps as well.
To help you choose the right mosquito repellant, the EPA has set up an insect repellant search engine that will that will allow you to input your needs and it will spit out the best repellants to use.
In Making Themselves At Home, I detailed how Aedes Albopictus or the `Asian tiger’ mosquito is perfectly happy to set up light housekeeping inside the home, and the importance of eliminating interior breeding locations as well as those outside.
And of course, I’ve repeated the `5 D’s’ of mosquito protection often. But it never hurts to remind people.
Don't go outdoors at DUSK and DAWN when mosquitoes are most active.
DRESS so your skin is covered with clothing
Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET to bare skin and clothing.
Other effective repellents include picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535
Empty containers and DRAIN standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
While I wouldn’t let concerns over mosquito borne diseases ruin my summer, when it comes to avoiding illness, a little bit of prevention can pay big dividends.
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